New Campus Glasgow: Strategic Benefits Analysis
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Key Messages
2.35 The key messages from the review of national policy are:
• Colleges are seen increasingly as being part of an integrated provider landscape
which aims to provide a seamless continuum of progression, and which offers
clear options and pathways to learners.
• There is a continuing emphasis on a system which offers greater flexibility to meet
learner needs and demands, and a system which can be responsive to changing
learning practices, technologies, and societal needs.
• Policy and strategy makes clear recognition of a new learning pedagogy which is
based on the principles of a learner centred approach, peer-to-peer and social
learning, the wider use of technology and IT.
• Learning providers are expected to work more closely with employers, helping
employers to articulate their demand for learning, increase the flexibility of learning
to workers and employers, and ensuring that courses meet employer needs and
aspirations.
• There is an expectation that colleges should maintain their core roles in delivering
employability and vocational skills, and an on-going role for colleges in addressing
disadvantage, and acting as community hubs to enhance opportunities for lifelong
learning.
• There is an emphasis on greater collaboration between providers, enabling
greater levels of specialisation and diversity to be achieved.
2.36 These priorities of national-level policy are reflected within city-wide policy. Glasgow's
Economic Action Plan expressly recognises the importance of education in the city, and aims
to build stronger links between providers and the wider economy. It aims to encourage
lifelong learning, align vocational provision to growth sectors and improve school leaver
destinations through curriculum development. Both 'Roughroad' and the Secondary Schools
Strategy emphasise the need for enhance collaboration between schools and colleges and
between community colleges and city-centre colleges, combined with strengthened vocational
provision and a broader curriculum offer.
2.37 Subsequent sections of the report draw-out and demonstrate where and how NCG
can and will contribute to these various policies and strategies (as well as other policy and
strategy that has not been discussed in detail within this section).
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Appendix 13: Economic Impact Report