News and Views

Colleges Invited to Take Part in Show Racism the Red Card Campaign

Apply for #YourCDN Leadership Programmes

Lead with Purpose, Lead with Confidence Staff across colleges, universities and education organisations are invited to take the next step in their leadership journey with the 2026/27 #YourCDN Leadership Programmes. From emerging managers to experienced executives, these programmes provide practical, ethical and impactful leadership development tailored to the needs of today’s education sector. Applications are […]

February CDN Update: Celebrating Innovation, Inclusion and Impact Across Scotland’s Colleges

We’re keeping the momentum going in 2026 by celebrating the collaboration, innovation, and opportunities shaping Scotland’s college sector. This month’s update highlights the launch of the College Awards 2026, recognising the talent and achievements of colleges, staff, and learners across the country. You’ll also find: There’s plenty to explore — discover what’s new and how […]

CDN College Awards 2026 Launch and February Highlights

In this monthly update, the Insight, Planning and Impact team highlights a productive February, led by the launch of the CDN College Awards 2026 prospectus, alongside key events, new initiatives and ongoing work to connect colleagues across the sector and amplify the impact our work. February has been a busy and exciting month for the […]

CDN College Awards 2026 – Open for Entries

The CDN College Awards are now open for entries! Celebrating the talent, dedication, and achievements of colleges, staff, and learners, the Awards provide a platform to showcase excellence, innovation, and impact across Scotland’s college sector. Marking their 27th anniversary, the Awards highlight the difference colleges make to learners, communities, and Scotland’s economy – showcasing the […]

Making the Message Matter: Marketing and Communications Conference brings sector together

Yesterday (Tuesday 17 February), CDN’s Marketing and Communications Conference brought over 100 colleagues from across Scotland’s college sector together for an engaging and practical day of learning, connection and fresh thinking, focused on Making the Message Matter: What we say. How we say it. Why it matters. The conference felt particularly timely and relevant in […]

Our latest STEP

Despite the severe weather warnings once again in force, more than 70 colleagues and students from Scotland’s colleges and universities braved the wind and rain to join us in Edinburgh on 27 January, at an event to support and promote the progress of projects being developed through Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP). (And, not to […]

This Month at #YourCDN

We’re kicking off 2026 by shining a light on the work, ideas, and opportunities shaping Scotland’s college sector. This month’s update is introduced by Gordon Hunt and Jo Turbitt and puts a spotlight on the Insights and Innovations Hub, in blog post showing how research, insight, and innovation are being turned into practical ideas colleges […]

Sparks of Inspiration: Exploring the Insights and Innovations Hub

In this blog post, Gordon Hunt, Head of Insight, Planning and Impact, and Jo Turbitt, Insight and Innovation Partner, introduce CDN’s Insights and Innovations Hub – a dynamic resource designed to bring research to life and help college staff access practical ideas, inspiration, and techniques they can apply in their daily practice. They also explain […]

CDN Year in Review 2025: A Year to Remember

As 2025 comes to a close, CDN is proud to reflect on a year of achievement, collaboration and impact across Scotland’s colleges. From the launch of #YourCDN and our refreshed website, to new programmes such as Elevate LT, the expansion of CDN LearnOnline, national campaigns including #ChooseCollege, and our biggest-ever CDN College Awards, the year […]

Scotland’s Colleges Talent Shines at CDN College Awards 2025

The CDN College Awards, proudly delivered by CDN and supported by Title Sponsor SQA, took place on Thursday 4 December 2025 at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow, welcoming over 300 guests – making this our largest Awards yet. The Awards celebrate the talent, skills, and achievements of colleges, their staff, and learners, shining a spotlight […]

#YourCDN November Update Released: Sector Insights, Opportunities and Celebration Ahead

CDN has published the latest #YourCDN November Update, bringing together a wide range of sector news, fresh opportunities and inspiring insights from across Scotland’s colleges. With the countdown officially underway for the highly anticipated CDN College Awards, this month’s update highlights the excitement building across the sector ahead of the celebration on 4 December. Readers […]

Shortlist Summary Booklet Out Now: Get Ready for the CDN College Awards!

#CollegeAwards With just over a week to go until the highly anticipated CDN College Awards on Thursday 4 December at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow, excitement is building across Scotland’s college sector. Proudly delivered by CDN and supported by Title Sponsor SQA, the Awards celebrate the skills, achievements and innovation of colleges, their staff and learners […]

Stepping up to the next level

It’s nearly a year since students and colleagues from Scotland’s colleges, universities and sector agencies first came together at the University of Stirling for our inaugural STEP Discovery Day. Launched in autumn 2024, Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) is the national enhancement programme that enables Scotland’s colleges and universities to work in partnership to develop […]

Supporting Change and Enhancing Practice Across Scotland’s Colleges

By Dr Paula Christie, Head of Delivery and Engagement at CDN Over recent months, my work has focused on two major CDN programmes that are now being delivered sector-wide: The Changing Learner Programme and Elevate LT. In this blog, I share why these programmes were developed, how they are being received, and the impact they […]

‘Exploring the Manosphere’: Reflections from CDN’s Event

In this blog, Dr Gail Toms, CDN’s Delivery and Engagement Partner shares reflections from our recent event on the manosphere. It explores how this online culture is shaping learner attitudes and what it means for the tertiary sector. In Scottish colleges and universities, where equality, and inclusion are core values, understanding the diversity of our […]

100 Years of Higher National qualifications in Scotland

The CDN College Awards 2025 are proudly supported by Title Sponsor SQA. As Scotland marks 100 years of Higher National qualifications, SQA reflects on a century of innovation, collaboration and impact. In 1925, 24 awards were made available under Scotland’s new National Certificate scheme, laying the foundation for something far more enduring than anyone could […]

STEP launches new projects for 2025

Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) has launched a set of new collaborative projects for 2025, bringing together colleges, universities, student associations and sector bodies to tackle shared challenges and enhance learner experiences across the tertiary sector. STEP is Scotland’s national enhancement programme and forms part of the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF). Delivered by CDN […]