Blog Post by Marie Hendry, CEO, and Dr Ken Thomson OBE DL, Chair
Whenever we’re asked what gives us confidence about the future of Scotland’s colleges, the answer is always the same: the people.
Across the sector, we meet colleagues who are passionate about their learners, committed to their communities and determined to make a difference. We see leaders navigating complexity with courage, staff embracing new ideas, and students achieving things they never thought possible. Whether we’re visiting colleges, attending sector events or simply having conversations with staff and stakeholders, we’re continually inspired by the talent, dedication and ambition that exists across Scotland’s college sector.
Those experiences remind us why colleges matter so much.
Colleges are places where people gain confidence, discover new opportunities and develop the skills they need to thrive. They support economic growth, strengthen communities and help tackle poverty and inequality. Every day, they make a profound difference to individuals, employers and society as a whole.
That’s why we are so pleased to launch CDN’s Strategy 2026–30, Every College, Every Step of the Way.
This strategy comes as colleges navigate a complex and rapidly changing world. Technological change, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, shifting demographics, new skills demands and the transition to net zero are reshaping education and lifelong learning. At the same time, colleges remain central to Scotland’s ambitions for economic growth, social mobility, community wellbeing and tackling poverty.
The pace of change is challenging, but it also creates opportunities to innovate, collaborate, share learning and better serve learners, employers and communities.
At CDN, we believe colleges are uniquely placed to help shape that future. Our role is to support them to do so.
As Scotland’s national development and enhancement agency for colleges, CDN empowers, connects and drives change. We build capability, foster collaboration and share insight to help colleges respond to change and maximise their impact.
Our new strategy sets out how we will build on that role over the next four years.
At its heart is a simple but powerful mission: to connect and empower the people who make Scotland’s colleges succeed.
Everything we do between now and 2030 will be guided by four connected objectives.
We will Empower people with the skills, confidence and mindset needed to lead, implement and sustain change.
We will Connect people, organisations and ideas, creating opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and innovation.
We will Drive enhancement by supporting transformation, sharing effective practice and helping the sector respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
And we will Focus our resources and expertise where they can have the greatest impact, informed by evidence, insight and the evolving needs of the sector.
These objectives will be delivered through three priority areas where CDN can make the greatest contribution: quality of learning and teaching; the learning environment and professional services; and leadership and governance. Together, they reflect our commitment to the people, systems and leadership that underpin successful colleges.
Importantly, this strategy is not simply about what CDN will do. It is about what we can achieve together.
The strongest ideas often emerge through partnership, and the most meaningful improvements happen when people share experience, challenge assumptions and learn from one another. That collaboration will remain central to our approach over the next four years.
We are also clear about the values that will guide us: ambition for colleges and learners, collaboration across the tertiary sector and beyond, and trustworthiness in how we act, listen and improve.
As Chair and CEO, we are genuinely excited about what lies ahead.
The next four years will undoubtedly bring further change. But if there is one thing we have learned from working alongside Scotland’s colleges, it is that this sector is resilient, innovative and full of talented people who care deeply about making a difference.
We -and the CDN Board, who have given their own emphatic support to the Strategy – would like to thank everyone who has helped shape this strategy and everyone who contributes to the success of Scotland’s colleges every day. Your commitment, expertise and passion are the foundation on which this strategy is built.
We invite colleagues and partners across the sector to explore the strategy and consider how, together, we can help deliver its ambitions.
We look forward to working with you as we turn these ambitions into action and continue to support Scotland’s colleges.
Every college. Every step of the way.
#YourCDN
