Since 2020, more than 25,000 people have enrolled in over 580 different learning opportunities at Borders College. For every individual who chooses to study with us, enrolment represents far more than signing up for a course; it marks the beginning of a real opportunity for better life chances and economic growth. Our programmes support learners in building new skills, gaining confidence, and taking meaningful steps toward their personal and professional goals. Whether it’s progressing in their current role, changing career direction, or simply engaging in enjoyable social learning, our courses open doors that can positively shape each student’s future. In 2025, students at Borders College rated their overall experience with an impressive 98% satisfaction rate for both Further Education and Higher Education courses.
However, like many other publicly funded bodies, we are facing some really challenging financial times and now need to ensure that our community is aware of the risks to our services and the potential negative impact on our Region.
Borders College is calling for fair and sustainable funding for Scotland’s colleges, warning that continued underinvestment could put learning opportunities, community support, and local economic growth at serious risk. The College joins Colleges Scotland in urging the Scottish Government to prioritise education in the upcoming Budget to secure the skills, innovation, and opportunities needed for Scotland’s future prosperity.
Years of reducing resources, highlighted in a recent Audit Scotland report, have left Scotland’s colleges under increasing strain. Across the country, colleges continue to deliver life-changing opportunities for learners and vital support for local economies, but the current model is no longer sustainable.
Without fair and sustainable funding, colleges will struggle to meet the growing needs of learners, communities, and employers. Campuses, facilities, and digital infrastructure need investment to keep pace with modern industry standards, while staff deserve the stability and resources to deliver the high-quality education that learners expect and deserve.
If investment continues to fall behind, Scotland risks losing the skilled workforce that underpins its future prosperity. With fair funding, colleges can remain key partners in building economic growth, innovation, and social mobility, helping people across every community to realise their potential.
This is a crucial moment. With the right commitment, Scotland’s colleges can continue to transform lives, strengthen communities, and help deliver the nation’s ambitions for a fairer, more prosperous society.
Pete Smith, Principal and CEO of Borders College, said:
“Borders College plays a vital role in Scotland’s ambitions for economic growth, skills development, social mobility, public service delivery, and tackling poverty.
“As part of Scotland’s network of 24 diverse colleges, I see firsthand how we create opportunities, contribute to the nation’s economic success, strengthen communities, and meet the needs of employers. Every year, people of all ages come to Borders College to learn, train, upskill, and retrain through a wide range of further and higher education opportunities.
“The demand for skilled workers in key sectors has never been greater, and Borders College is an essential part of the solution. Our industry-focused qualifications help drive productivity, support local businesses, and give people the chance to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
“However, the number of learners we can support is falling due to ongoing funding pressures, and there remains unmet demand for vital skills training. To continue serving as an anchor institution for our community, and as a key contributor to Scotland’s economy, Borders College needs fair and sustainable funding in the upcoming Scottish Government Budget.”
Gavin Donoghue, CEO of Colleges Scotland, added:
“If flat-cash funding continues, 11 colleges could face effective insolvency in the next academic year.
“That’s why colleges are calling on the Scottish Government and Parliament to ensure the 2026/27 Budget restores funding, supports staff and students, and unlocks the full potential of these valued community anchor institutions.
“Colleges are the skills engines of our economy and play a vital role in tackling poverty and supporting inclusive growth. Any additional investment would not just be funding for education, it would be an investment in Scotland’s sustainable economic future.
“The Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape in Scotland, led by James Withers, showed the clear need for reform to better support economic growth. With campuses embedded in every community, and a diverse range of learning opportunities, colleges are ideally placed to drive that transformation.”
A call to action from Borders College
Borders College has always been proud to serve its communities, employers, and learners across the Scottish Borders and beyond. Every day, the College sees the difference that education and skills training make in people’s lives, helping individuals find fulfilling work, supporting businesses to grow, and building stronger, more resilient communities.
Now, however, the College faces a critical moment in its history. Scotland’s colleges are feeling the impact of years of underinvestment, and despite the dedication of staff and the determination of learners, they are again being asked to do more with less. Without fair and sustainable funding, Borders College’s ability to deliver the high-quality education and training the region depends on will be at serious risk.
- Borders College is calling on its partners, employers, and stakeholders to urge the Scottish Government to recognise the essential role that colleges play in driving economic growth, tackling poverty, and meeting the demand for skilled workers. With the right investment, the College can continue to give people the skills to succeed, help businesses thrive, and contribute to Scotland’s ambitions for a fairer, more prosperous future.
The choice is clear: continued underfunding will limit opportunity and weaken the skills base our economy relies on, but fair funding will unlock the full potential of Borders College and the communities it proudly serves.
