Scotland's colleges offer a diverse curriculum - including vocational, further, and higher education - to a diverse range of people and communities.
With enrolments of around 470,000 in 2003-04, and a geographical coverage that extends from all the major towns and cities to remote rural areas such as the Shetland Isles, it is easy to see why the sector plays such an important role in the Executive's lifelong learning and social inclusion agendas.
The sector as a whole is funded by the Scottish Funding Council, acting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. By 2007-08, total investment in the college sector will be almost £620 million. This is an increase of almost £200 million (45 per cent in cash terms) since 2003-04. Capital investment alone accounts for £128 million over the next three years. This will allow for significant improvements in the college learning and teaching environment.
Overall strategic direction for the sector is provided by the Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department (ETLLD) of the Scottish Executive. This role is partially exercised through providing annual guidance to the funding council (see above). At the same time, ETLLD liaises closely with bodies such as the Association of Scotland's Colleges, the Scottish Further Education Unit, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, other UK government departments, and of course Scotland's colleges themselves to ensure that its policies remain both relevant and practical.
Up-to-date information on the policy context of Scotland's colleges may be found in the Further and Adult Education Division's business plan for 2006-07. See also the latest FE Annual Report and the relevant chapters of Lifelong Learning Statistics 2005.