College Development Network (CDN) has launched its new Strategy 2026–30, Every College, Every Step of the Way, setting out how it will support Scotland’s colleges to navigate change, strengthen practice and maximise their impact for learners, employers and communities over the next four years.
As the national development and enhancement agency for Scotland’s colleges, CDN’s Strategy reaffirms its commitment to being a trusted partner to the sector, empowering people, leading enhancement and supporting innovation within a more connected and effective tertiary education system.
The Strategy was developed collaboratively with CDN staff, Board members, colleges, sector partners and wider stakeholders, ensuring it reflects both the challenges facing the sector and the opportunities ahead.
Scotland’s colleges play a vital role in supporting economic growth, social mobility, community wellbeing and efforts to tackle poverty. At the same time, they are responding to significant societal and economic shifts, including technological advancement, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, demographic change, evolving workforce needs and the transition to a net-zero economy.
Through its new Strategy, CDN will continue to support the people who make Scotland’s colleges succeed, helping to build the leadership, skills, networks and confidence needed to embrace innovation, respond to change and deliver positive outcomes.
The Strategy is built around four strategic objectives: Empower, Drive, Connect and Focus. These objectives will guide CDN’s work across three priority areas where it can make the greatest contribution to the sector: learning and teaching, the learning environment and professional services, and leadership and governance.
Marie Hendry, Chief Executive of CDN, said:
“Scotland’s colleges are operating in a rapidly changing environment, but they remain central to the country’s economic and social ambitions. Our new Strategy sets out how CDN will work alongside colleges every step of the way, connecting people, developing capability and supporting the innovation and collaboration needed to deliver positive outcomes for learners, employers and communities.”
Ken Thomson, Chair of the CDN Board, said:
“This Strategy reflects the collective ambition of CDN and the wider college sector to create lasting impact. It provides a clear framework for how CDN will support colleges to meet emerging challenges, seize new opportunities and continue delivering high-quality outcomes for the people and communities they serve. The Board is proud to support a strategy that is firmly rooted in partnership, continuous improvement and the future success of Scotland’s colleges.”
Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“The launch of CDN’s strategic plan today is a welcome step towards our shared ambition for a high quality and high performing college sector that enables people to learn and flourish and supports regional economies.”
Building capability, sharing insight and supporting collaboration
Over the next four years, CDN will bring together expertise, foster collaboration and share insight to help colleges adapt to change and enhance their contribution to learners, employers and communities across Scotland.
Through #YourCDN, CDN supports college staff through professional learning and development, strategic networks and communities of practice, events, research, insight and digital resources. By connecting people and expertise, CDN helps build capability, share effective practice and support innovation across Scotland’s colleges.
CDN’s Strategy 2026–30 will guide its work as it continues to champion excellence, strengthen professional practice and support continuous improvement across the sector.
Together, CDN and the college sector will help build a more responsive, innovative and sustainable future for learners, employers, communities and Scotland’s wider tertiary education system.
Explore CDN’s Strategy 2026–30, Every College, Every Step of the Way, and discover #YourCDN.
