The Scottish Government

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PRESENT

Laurence Howells Scottish Funding Council (Chair)

David Caldwell Universities Scotland

Julie Gilstrap Association of Scotland's' Colleges

Stuart King Futureskills Scotland

Iain MacRobert Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education

Iain Ovens Dundee College

Ray Harris Edinburgh's Telford College

Jill Little National Union of Students, Scotland

Grahame Smith Scottish Trades Unions Congress

Jacqui Hepburn Sector Skills Development Agency

Col Baird Further and Adult Education Division Reviews Team, Scottish Executive

Claire Woodward-Nutt Higher Education and Learners Support Division, Scottish Executive

Raaj K Bhatti Further and Adult Education Division, Scottish Executive (Minute Secretary)

APOLOGIES

Diane Duncan Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Ali Laiquat Educational Institute of Scotland

Brian McKechnie Senior Studies Institute, Strathclyde University

Gareth Williams Scottish Council for Development and Industry

Matthew Lancashire NUS Scotland

John-Paul Liddle Higher Education and Learners Support Division, Scottish Executive

Margaret Sutor Further and Adult Education Division, Scottish Executive

Craig Thomson Adam Smith College

Daniel Sellars Communities Scotland

Euan Carmichael Scottish Funding Council

Joe Wilson Scottish Qualifications Authority

Julie Hepburn Federation of Small Business

Marian Healy Educational Institute of Scotland

Gerhard Mors Analytical Services Division, Scottish Executive

1) Welcome and Introductions

1.1 The Chair welcomed members to the meeting and apologies were noted as above.

2) Minutes of last meetings and action points

2.1 Although the group had met 3 times since July to participate in the scenario development workshops, this was only its second formal meeting as a working group since the first meeting in August last year. The minutes of that meeting were approved and progress against actions noted.

3) Update on Futures Work

3.1 Malcolm is in the process of finishing the scenarios, to take into account feedback from the

recent Principals' CPD event at Turnberry and final 1:1 meetings with the respective

Scenario development teams.

3.2 Col outlined the remaining steps in the Review between now and the final meeting of the

Core group in February. He asked the group to consider how Malcolm's report should be

used and what the approach should be for the remaining two meetings of this working

group.

3.3 A general discussion ensued and the following points were noted:

CONTENT OF THE FINAL REPORT

• May be prudent to absorb forthcoming Leitch report which will contain significant

statements that may impact on colleges' strategic future, particularly with regard to skills and economic growth

• The scenarios are very useful but the final report from this work stream should also reflect

current government thinking, including the refresh of the Lifelong Learning Strategy

• The scenarios would be strengthened by checking them against the outputs of the Leitch

Review

• Should also consider how we can "future proof" the sector in terms of the scenarios, i.e.

things that the sector should do more of/less of, irrespective of which future occurs

• We might influence the thinking of others who could influence which aspects of the

scenarios actually happen

• Colleges don't work in isolation and other agencies will need to adapt as well if colleges

are to be more "flexible"

• Colleges are always subsidiary partners. Rarely given funds to take the lead in national

initiatives, yet always expected to play a significant role, e.g. NEET strategy

• Important to link responsibility, authority and accountability with funding
• Need to consider role of colleges and overlapping remits with other agencies
• Emphasis should be on skills and not vocational
• Important for Scotland's' Colleges to work together. Strength of the sector is in its ability to

provide local delivery for national initiatives.

• How would future learners fit into these scenarios?
• ACTION - Jill Little to discuss scenarios with NUS colleagues and students in terms of the learner perspective

STRUCTURE OF THE FINAL REPORT

• Basically it will have three main elements:

1. The Scenarios and improving links with other agencies

2. Things we could do to "future proof" the sector

3. "Cherry Picking" - I.e. what can we do now to steer the sector towards the positive aspects of the scenarios and steps we can take to avoid the negative aspects

• The report will have four main recommendations addressing the following areas:

1. Flexibility and collaborative working

2. Responsiveness to market need and learner needs

3. Modernising Teaching and Learning

4. Learner perspective and experience

• The report should also reflect some of the key themes that came through in the workshops

including marketing, leadership and communication

• ACTION - Col Baird to produce initial draft of final report for further discussion at next meeting

4) AOCB

4.1 There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was brought to a close.

SUMMARY OF ACTION POINTS:

Raaj K Bhatti

Further and Adult Education Division

November 2006