Why Colleges matter so much to our communities

Last week I visited Borders College to meet Principal and Chief Executive Peter Smith and talk about the role the college plays across the Scottish Borders. It was a chance to look beyond the day to day running of the campus and focus on the bigger picture for students, employers and the wider community.

Spending time there, you quickly see that a college is not just a place of study. It is where people gain confidence, develop practical skills and prepare for the world of work. You can see the connection between education and the local economy in a very direct way. Businesses across the Borders depend on colleges to help train the workforce they need. Just as importantly, students who study locally are more likely to build their careers here afterwards, bringing fresh skills and ideas into the area. That strengthens families, supports local employers and helps communities grow.

We also spoke about the financial pressures facing further education and why additional investment is so important. The recent funding increase from the SNP Scottish Government is helping colleges protect courses, support staff and continue offering high quality learning opportunities at a time when the sector has been under real strain. These decisions have real world consequences. They shape which courses can run, what support is available to students and whether local firms can recruit people with the right training. That is why backing colleges is not just an education issue, it is about creating opportunity and supporting a resilient local economy here in the Borders.

Borders College’s Vision 2030 sets out a clear plan to build on its successes and keep improving for learners and employers alike. What stood out to me is how strongly the college sees itself as part of the local community. It is rooted in the Borders while planning confidently for the future. From school leavers taking their first steps after school to adults returning to education later in life, the college plays a role at every stage. It is one of the quiet success stories of our region, helping individuals move forward while strengthening the area.

For me, this underlines why political choices matter. When the Government invests in colleges, it is investing in people, in local businesses and in the long-term future of communities like ours.

Borders College is a major asset to the Scottish Borders, and I am backing local colleges, local jobs and local opportunity every step of the way.