SFC welcomes passing of Tertiary Education and Training Bill

Photos: Edinburgh College, UHI Perth, Glasgow Clyde College.

The Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill successfully passed the final stage of the legislative process last night (Tuesday 20 January). It will now progress to becoming an Act.

As a result of this legislation, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) will become responsible for the funding of all post-16 education and training provision, taking on funding of apprenticeships and national training programmes alongside college and university provision as well as the funding of research and innovation.

The Bill will also introduce changes to SFC’s governance, with the introduction of a new Apprenticeship Committee and additional specification of what areas of expertise and experience Ministers should consider when appointing Board members.

In addition, SFC will be granted a number of new duties including:

• To have regard to supporting the interests of learners, to supporting knowledge exchange and innovation, and to promoting fair work principles.

• To attach additional conditions of funding, including that institutions take action on gender-based violence; that they have a whistleblowing and a conflict of interest policy; and that they engage with trade unions, students and external partners when making particular significant decisions.

• To monitor the financial sustainability of institutions and a new power to arrange for an independent examination into the financial sustainability or financial governance of an institution.

• To report annually on the financial sustainability of the sectors and on the performance of those involved in delivering apprenticeships, work-based learning and national training programmes.

Commenting on the passing of the Bill, SFC Chief Executive, Francesca Osowska, said:

“We welcome the passing of the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill. Having funding for all post-16 provision in one funding body will enable us to be more agile, responsive and flexible to better meet the needs of learners, employers and the wider Scottish economy.

 

“Our focus over the coming months will be on redesigning the new funding body, building on strong foundations across SFC and Skills Development Scotland (SDS), to ensure a smooth transition and a seamless transfer of functions. We look forward to working with all our stakeholders, including new colleagues we will welcome from SDS, as we move through this process.

 

“Enhanced governance and new duties will also support us as we work together to develop a post-16 education, training and skills funding body that supports Scotland’s economic wellbeing. We will work closely with all our stakeholders as we implement the new provisions set out in the Bill.”