By Callum Chomczuk, Director of College Employers Scotland

We are in a period of transition and reflection.

Following May’s election, the new term of the Scottish Parliament has paused for the summer recess, after 64 MSPs took their seats for the first time. As parliamentarians and ministers begin this recess, I want to reiterate the warm welcome from myself, my colleagues at CES, and the wider college sector, and emphasise how much we look forward to working together to secure the best outcomes for learners and staff.

At the same time, colleges have now reached the end of another academic year against a backdrop of familiar challenges. Institutions are operating at a pivotal moment, with awareness of their contribution to regional economies, widening access and skills delivery higher than it has been for years. Yet, as we navigate the 2026/27 financial landscape, the cumulative effect of sustained real-terms funding reductions is becoming increasingly clear, despite the earlier budget uplift.

Scottish Funding Council data points to significant falls in staff headcount over the decade to 2025, reflecting how persistent financial pressures have required difficult decisions, including the use of voluntary severance. A clear priority for the period ahead must be ensuring that funding is both sustainable and stable. The continued success of colleges as skills engines and community anchors depends on it.

However, funding is only part of the picture. The strength of Scotland’s colleges also lies in their capacity to adapt, innovate and respond to change. Encouragingly, the sector is already making strong progress in delivering this transformation, particularly when it comes to building workforce capability.

Staff are developing new ways of working, making greater use of digital tools, data and emerging technologies to enhance both teaching and professional services. This is not simply about efficiency – it is about improving outcomes for learners while enabling more flexible, enriching and sustainable ways of working.

At South Lanarkshire College, for example, Head of Digital Chris Sumner – who was commended in the Professional Services Colleague of the Year category at last year’s College Development Network Awards – has supported staff to embed data and AI into everyday practice, helping to build confidence, autonomy and effectiveness across teams. Approaches like this will become increasingly important as colleges respond to evolving expectations, including the full implementation of Fair Work First criteria.

Looking ahead, Scotland’s education landscape will continue to present both risks and opportunities. At CES, we are committed to highlighting how colleges are responding with creativity and determination – showcasing practical approaches, new ways of working and emerging ideas.

By sharing these insights, we aim to support leaders and staff to learn from one another and adapt what works. In doing so, we intend not only to reflect the challenges facing college employers, but also to help the sector navigate them – strengthening confidence, capability and collaboration at a time when all three matter more than ever.