Forth Valley College is trying to deal with a crisis of financial difficulties not seen before. These challenges imperil the future of its three campuses in Falkirk, Stirling and Alloa. The Scottish Funding Council gave a small boost in funding this year. Even that means the institution has a hard time ever balancing its budget. The college has serious and growing financial problems. This now puts the future of its Alloa campus in doubt, which currently caters for 460 learners taking high demand vocational courses such as beauty therapy.
In 2018, the Scottish Funding Council increased teaching funding by 2.6%. They not only increased funding for college maintenance by 4.9%, but as with most other colleges across Scotland, Forth Valley College is currently facing economic crisis. A report from Audit Scotland revealed that colleges across the nation, including Forth Valley College, have suffered a 20% real terms cut in funding over the past five years. The college administration has seen serious erosion of resources with increasing cost of doing business. They claim that maintaining all three campuses is no longer financially sustainable.
Kenny MacInnes, principal of Forth Valley College, described bluntly his institution’s financial crisis. He said that while funding has increasingly been focused into specific pots of funding, the costs are continuing to increase, putting tremendous stress on their budget.
“Our current financial position is the most difficult we have ever experienced,” – Kenny MacInnes
The proposed closure of the Alloa campus represents a huge blow for students. Those to be most affected include Megan Scott and Lewis Watson. Scott highlighted the impacts of local access to education, as she depends on the Alloa campus to get her education. In his remarks, Watson emphasized the compelling reasons for the establishment of the college. He underscored how it has provided him opportunities beyond what he could have elsewhere.
“It would be devastating to me because it’s given me a new confidence,” – Lewis Watson
Watson’s feelings really underscore an important truth. Institutions provide much needed support for students that don’t succeed in a four‐year plan or four‐year model. Lindsay Brown, a senior lecturer at Forth Valley College, went as far as to laud this aspect. She underscored the importance that local colleges have in building a talent pipeline.
“Colleges are needed to allow people like myself and loads of other students, who for whatever reason, school hasn’t been good to them, to be able to get into education and get to places they deserve to get to,” – Liam Francis
Anne-Marie Harley, a director for the Association of Colleges, called it “crucial” that colleges receive adequate funding. She spotlighted their essential place within the education ecosystem.
“Colleges are vital to the economy, we’re part of the education system,” – Anne-Marie Harley
Brown reflected on her personal challenges with education. She was unable to complete her education past the age of 16 due to factors she could not control. She told us how coming back to learning at Forth Valley College had changed her life.
“If I wasn’t at the college, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” – Lindsay Brown
The college offers an immensely diverse range of classes. Forensics is the most notable of all, as it is a critical offering for students who want to develop their highly specialized craft. As fiscal pressures increase, so does the anxiety that these programs will not be able to survive.
Forth Valley College plays a vital role in its local community by providing educational opportunities and fostering skill development among students. Closing the Alloa campus would seriously disrupt the education of hundreds of students. It would cut the provision of vital services that the college provides to the community.
