SOME of Scotland's college buildings are in "dire need" of upgrading with hundreds of millions of pounds required for repairs, it has been claimed.
Colleges Scotland has told ministers that at least £280 million will be needed in capital cash on top of £105m for maintenance over the next three years.
The figures were contained in the organisation's official submission to the Scottish Government ahead of this month's budget.
Officials told the Scottish Government: "The college sector is more or less entirely reliant on public funds for their capital investment needs so, to maintain and improve the teaching and learning environment for some of the most deprived communities in Scotland and to ensure the college estate supports the delivery of vocational training while students acquire the necessary skills to enter the workforce, the above investment is a necessity."
Scottish Conservative young people spokeswoman Liz Smith insisted the SNP administration needed to make sure money was available for "the bare minimum required".
Ms Smith said: "A lot of focus has rightly been on the Scottish Government's decision to cut college places by 140,000 and reduce the number of lecturers by 3,000.
"That scrutiny and criticism is understandable considering the vital role these institutions play not only in creating and developing careers, but boosting the country's economy.
"But what risks being overlooked is the need to make sure students and teachers are working in an acceptable environment. And while many colleges have brand new buildings, it is clear from this report that others are in dire need of upgrading.
But a spokesman for minister for learning Alasdair Allan said: "This Government has a strong track record on colleges and recognises that they are vital to Scotland's success. Indeed, our decision to protect college funding in the 16-17 draft budget is a clear indication of the importance we place on the sector.
"Since 2007 we have invested over £530 million in college estates, in spite of cuts from Westminster, providing funding for specific projects as well as support to maintain existing buildings."
He added there were two new "state of the art" college campuses opened this year - Inverness and City of Glasgow colleges - with the Kilmarnock campus of Ayrshire College and City of Glasgow College's Cathedral Street campus opening next year, which he said amounted to an investment of more than £300 million.
The spokesman also pointed to an announcement that Forth Valley College and Fife College will benefit from a share of £140 million support.
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