Tertiary Education and Training Bill published.
Legislation to simplify the funding system for learners at
college and university and apprentices in Scotland, has been
published.
The Scottish Government has introduced the Tertiary Education and
Training Bill to Parliament, which is expected to examine it
over the course of this year.
If passed by MSPs, the Bill will see responsibility for providing
national training programmes and apprenticeships move to the
Scottish Funding Council (SFC) from Skills Development Scotland
(SDS). This would consolidate responsibility for provision
of tertiary education and training within the SFC.
The Bill also proposes improvements to the SFC's governance and
how it oversees tertiary education, including a greater focus on
the needs and interests of learners.
Minister for Higher and Further Education said:
“The Bill marks an important step in driving improvement in the
tertiary education sector and will help ensure that our annual £3
billion investment delivers the greatest impact for learners.
“I am grateful to everyone who responded to our recent
consultation and who has helped to shape the Bill's
provisions. Our proposals aim to reduce complexity and
ensure that Scotland's skills system continues to meet the needs
of the future economy.
“I know there is widespread support for simplifying the funding
system in this key sector and I hope that the Parliament will
support these proposals.”
Background
If passed, the proposed changes set out in the Tertiary Education and
Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill could
come into effect from Autumn 2026. A policy memorandum,
financial memorandum
and other information have been published alongside the Bill.
Plans to change the funding system which
covers universities, colleges and apprenticeships, as well as
student support, were announced this
year. The changes follow a public consultation which took place
last summer and for which a report summarising
responses was published last month, along with
an outline business case.
