College Infrastructure Strategy: Baseline 2024
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Photo: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI
Developing a college infrastructure strategy is a once in a generation opportunity to create a coordinated infrastructure investment plan (underpinned by the College Infrastructure Strategy (CIS) Delivery Plan and Delivery Plan Update October 2024) for the college estate in Scotland. It is an undertaking that will see the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) working in close partnership with the college sector to map out the investment needed over the next five to ten years.
The process requires us to think about how learners and educators interact with their surroundings and how the campus of the future will support the best outcomes for individuals, the economy and wider society. We also need to account for the continuing interaction between physical infrastructure, digital and net zero.
As a first step, we need a robust understanding of the entirety of the college estate function and performance as it currently exists. We are calling this first step Baseline 2024.
Latest Updates
College Infrastructure Strategy Delivery Plan Update October 2024
The College Infrastructure Strategy (CIS) Delivery Plan was published in December 2023 and outlined an ambitious programme to deliver an Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) for the college sector. This update focuses on three infrastructure themes; physical, digital and net zero.
View the College Infrastructure Strategy Delivery Plan Update
Access to Baseline 2024 data collection tool
Access to the Baseline 2024 tool for registered users is now available.
For support and further information please contact the SFC estates team, email: estates@sfc.ac.uk.
Baseline 2024 Navigator and Data Requirements - 31 July 2024
In April 2024 we announced our plans for Baseline 2024, which will provide a robust, accurate and evidence-based data set to inform the case for future investment in college infrastructure.
Since the workshop in June and follow-up webinar in July, we have been working with our Pilot Group of colleges to develop the data set and definitions for the baseline data to be collected and developing the digital platform.
Colleges Scotland Workshop - 19 June 2024
Colleges from across Scotland participated in the Baseline 2024 workshop hosted by Colleges Scotland in Stirling on 19 June 2024.
The workshop introduced colleges to the Baseline 2024 project and equipped them to contribute effectively to the information collection process behind the Infrastructure Investment Plan.
In her workshop presentation, Ursula Lodge, SFC’s Deputy Director for Institutional Sustainability and Capital, highlighted the three c’s of “collaboration, cooperation and co-creation” required to provide better and more accurate investment information. She added that, at a time of pressure on public finances, there is no room for complacency in ensuring that investment planning in infrastructure in the college sector is provided in a timely and robust manner.
The session’s activities included an interactive poster exercise to help gauge colleges’ current position in providing the information required for Baseline 2024. The exercise captured knowledge on an individual college level about what would be readily available versus information that might be more difficult to access.
Workshop participants also discussed a practical approach to information collection and how to maximise college participation in the process. It was agreed that the overall aim would be to generate an Infrastructure Investment Plan based on reliable estate strategies and the business case for investment.
“Participation (in Baseline 2024) is key for all colleges if we are to ensure that, as a sector, colleges’ estates are optimised for the use of our staff and students.”
– workshop delegate
Data collection update - July 2024
In June we held an in-person workshop in Stirling. This was attended by the majority of colleges. We also provided a webinar in July for colleges unable to attend the Stirling event.
We have been working with our pilot group of colleges to develop the data set and definitions for the baseline data to be collected.
The digital platform is now in development and will be completed by early August. The pilot group will then be able to input test data.
Also in early August we will share details of the data to be collected. This will allow colleges to begin to prepare for the data collection exercise. We will hold a further workshop at this time to present the details of the data set. We will also use this workshop to demonstrate the data collection tool and show the types of reports the tool will be able to provide.
Once the test data collection has been completed, evaluated and enhanced in line with the pilot group’s recommendations, we plan to start the data collection exercise for all colleges. Ahead of the start date (scheduled for Wednesday 21 August 2024) we will provide data input training and put a helpdesk in place.
The data collection exercise will continue until Tuesday 1 October 2024. Our consultants, AtkinsRéalis, will be available to support the exercise throughout.
The outputs of the Baseline 2024 exercise are due in the middle of October. After that we plan to hold a lessons learned workshop for all colleges.
Baseline 2024
To create the necessary baseline, SFC is asking each of Scotland’s colleges to provide up-to-date baseline information for their estate. We are working with the sector on this project between May and October 2024.
We need assistance to do this well and within the timeframe we have set ourselves. We have therefore contracted specialist help from AtkinsRéalis who is working with both the Scottish Funding Council and individual colleges to support the capture and sharing of baseline information. AtkinsRéalis has designed a means of support in collecting information consistently and reliably. Where gaps are found to exist, the system will be able to extrapolate and model results.
Outcomes
Short Term
An accurate, current baseline for 2024 will allow us to better understand how the college infrastructure is already adapting to changing local and regional priorities for learning and teaching. Baseline 2024 will provide a robust, accurate and evidence-based data set which will inform the case for future investment.
Longer Term
In the longer term our college infrastructure strategy will provide the insights we need to:
Invest
Investment in the future shape and size of the estate and each college to meet current and future demand for physical, hybrid and digital teaching.
Maintain
Maintain existing assets where it is economic to do so and / or update and develop.
Collaborate
Identify assets which could be shared between different public bodies and partners to increase use and income.
Divest
Dispose of uneconomic or under-performing assets.
Further information
SFC will provide updates on Baseline 2024 and the wider college infrastructure strategy on social media and by updates to this webpage.
For additional information please contact the SFC estates team at estates@sfc.ac.uk.
SFC Strategic Plan 2022-27
Building a connected, agile, sustainable tertiary education and research system for Scotland.