In this Member Spotlight, we hear from returning Academic member, Borders College, on its recent 40th anniversary, and why it considers educational resources, digital poverty and cost of living are contributing to the lack of tech talent pipeline.
Who is Borders College, and what do you do?
Borders College is a leading educational institution in the Scottish Borders, offering a wide range of courses in both Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE). We provide full-time and part-time courses, apprenticeships, community and evening classes, and business training solutions. We aim to equip students with the skills and qualifications needed for employment or further studies, with a strong emphasis on employability and enterprise.
We deliver education and training across various sectors, including technology, business, creative, sport, health and social care, rural skills and sustainable construction. Our tech-focused courses cover areas such as software development, cybersecurity, digital media, esports and visual communications, preparing students for the rapidly evolving tech industry.
In addition to our tech offerings, we provide comprehensive courses in health and social care, rural studies, and construction. These programmes contribute to regional growth by addressing local needs and supporting the development of essential skills. We work closely with other organisations to support people in the Scottish Borders and surrounding areas, ensuring our courses align with industry demands, regional needs and community priorities.
Borders College is dedicated to enhancing skills and employability within the local community and beyond, building strong partnerships with local industries to ensure our courses meet the needs of the job market.
Tell us something unique or interesting about your organisation.
Borders College is proud to offer a variety of sector-leading resources that bring students closer to industry and support them in their next steps. Our facilities include:
Health Tech Hub: Equipped with the latest technology to provide hands-on experience in health-related fields.
Esports Studio: A state-of-the-art studio for students interested in the growing field of esports, offering opportunities to learn and compete.
Cyber Lab: A cutting-edge lab designed to teach students about cybersecurity and digital forensics.
Hair and Beauty Salons: Professional salons where students can practice and refine their skills in beauty and hairdressing.
Restaurant: A fully operational restaurant that allows students to gain real-world experience in culinary arts and hospitality.
These resources are designed to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers. At Borders College, we are committed to supporting our students every step of the way.
The introduction of the Cyber Lab and Esports studio have been brought in to support student numbers in computing subjects doubling in the last 2 years, with 117 students enrolling on a FT or PT course this year.
What is your biggest achievement as an organisation?
The College recently celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. With changes in education over this time and relocations and colocations with Heriot-Watt, it is a remarkable achievement that Borders College continues to provide a high-quality service to its region. We have students winning industry awards, staff leading the way with innovative practices and it is a well-respected organisation regionally and nationally, with that respect growing as we change and evolve.
Borders College celebrated above-average achievements in several key sectors, as highlighted in the recently released figures by the Scottish Funding Council. This underscores the college’s commitment to delivering high-quality education and training.
What prompted you to become a member of ScotlandIS?
Industry! We have seen a huge increase in students looking to pursue a career in technology, and we want to work closer to the industry to establish what we need to continue doing well and what we need to change. Our role is to provide skilled individuals, ready to get into employment or continue their education journey, and we want to let students know that if they walk through our doors, we will try to do everything we can to place them where they want to be. The ties to ScotlandIS help provide more value to our delivery in these areas, and in particular Cyber Security which is undertaken by most of our students who enrol. We are a service for industry and we want to make sure people know we are here to help, support, adapt and change along with them.
What do you see as the main challenges regarding the talent pipeline for the tech industry in the UK and Scotland?
The rising cost of living is a significant barrier for students and early-career professionals in the tech industry. With increasing expenses for housing, utilities, and everyday necessities, many individuals find it challenging to balance their financial responsibilities while pursuing education and training. This financial strain can deter potential students from enrolling in tech programs or force them to seek higher-paying jobs outside their field of interest or the region which stunts growth. Borders College is aware of these challenges and strives to provide affordable education options and financial support to help students manage their living costs while focusing on their studies.
Digital poverty is another critical issue affecting the tech talent pipeline. Many students in rural areas, including the Scottish Borders, lack access to reliable internet and modern technology, which are essential for participating in digital learning and training programs. This digital divide can hinder students’ ability to develop the necessary skills and knowledge for tech careers. Borders College addresses some of these issues by providing devices to study and supporting their access in various ways, but we still encounter many obstacles to support everyone.
Access to education and resources is crucial for developing a skilled workforce in the tech industry. In rural areas, students often face limited opportunities for advanced training and professional development. Our provision to our regional schools is limited due to resources and we could deliver a lot more to support the schools during a difficult time providing tech-based education in the area, but we have to turn some students away who in turn have to explore other options. The same is true for full-time students who are unable to gain a place due to the competitive nature of the courses we offer.
As an educational institution we strive to support our students to overcome these barriers, but we are aware that we cannot do this alone, and with our current financial limitations in the sectors we want to focus on providing quality education and working closer to industry to support its growth.
Get in touch if you’d like to find out more at enquiries@borderscollege.ac.uk or visit www.borderscollege.ac.uk.