By Eric Brownlie
IN a recent documentary analysing social structures in modern-day Scotland, commentator and author Darren McGarvey returned to Glasgow Clyde College where he had once studied. The purpose of the trip was to meet students and his former lecturer, making the point that class is still very much a real issue when deciding life choices for young people across the nation.
Across Scotland almost a third of full-time college students are from Scotland’s lowest socioeconomic backgrounds – with colleges the anchor points of local communities, supporting individuals of all ages and backgrounds to gain skills and qualifications.
At Glasgow Clyde College nearly 50 per cent of students come from the 20% most deprived areas of Scotland, known as SIMD20; however,this demographic makes up only 16% of university places nationally.
Compared to any other educational pathways, colleges attract applicants from the broadest range of social demographics and Glasgow Clyde College alone has learners from more than 120 different nationalities.
While the median age of college students in Scotland is 22, people from a wide spectrum of life stages enrol every year to retrain, upskill or simply begin education after a long break. Some will attend straight from school as a gateway to university but for others, college is a second or third chance – possibly after a period of unemployment or struggles with addictions, mental health issues or even the start of a new life in Scotland.
Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the college still offers a huge level of support to students. Every day staff help learners to grow, develop and realise their full potential. Working remotely for the last 12 months, tackling digital exclusion and fostering a sense of community online are more important than ever for developing belongingness, well-being and ultimately achieving success.
Reassuringly, despite the financial pressures many sections of society have felt during the last year, applications remain high for courses starting in August 2021. We’re seeing some very interesting trends around people who are changing career, whether that’s due to instability in the job market or a desire to pursue a more fulfilling role such as in health and social care.
A successful college experience can be the difference between long-term financial instability and insecure work or the opportunity to reconnect with the labour market with sought after skills. While for some it’s the next step after school, for others it’s a way to re-engage with society, opening doors which may have been previously wedged shut.
Colleges are a vital part of the wider educational landscape, but they play a crucial role in providing teaching and support for individuals who are the most vulnerable in society or seriously at risk of falling through the cracks.
Education improves lives and in Darren’s own words, "Colleges help people to learn, to self-actualise, to transcend personal difficulties and ultimately end up in a better position in their lives than they otherwise would have."
Eric Brownlie is Assistant Principal for Quality and Performance at Glasgow Clyde College
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