Stage 1 report on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill

PDF Published: Tuesday 09 Sep 2025 (EYCP062025R09)

Expand
Report

Hide

Hide

Report
- Membership changes
- Introduction
- Background
- Part 1 - Functions of the SFC
  - General duties of the SFC
    
    Creation of a new body
  - Costs of the Bill
  - Definition of a Scottish apprenticeship
    
    Scottish apprenticeship frameworks
    
    Scottish apprenticeship certificates
  - Funding for apprenticeships and work-based learning
  - Managing agents
  - Information sharing
  - Notifications to the Council by post-16 education bodies
  - Additional powers for the SFC
    
    Recommendations to fundable bodies
    
    Financial sustainability of post-16 education bodies
    
    Guidance to fundable bodies
  - Exercise of functions by the Council
- Part 2 of the Bill - Governance of the Council
  - Membership of the Council
    
    Term limits
    
    Skills and knowledge
    
    Size of the Council
  - Co-opted members of the Council
  - Apprenticeship Committee
- Part 3 - Student Support
  - Designation of private providers of higher and further education
  - Support for further education students
- Conclusion
- Annexe
Sources

James Withers. (2023, June 7). Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/fit-future-developing-post-school-learning-system-fuel-economic-transformation/ [accessed 18 June 2025]

Scottish Parliament. (2023, December 5). Official Report. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-05-12-2023?meeting=15589&iob=133014

Scottish Parliament. (2025, May 28). Official Report of the Education, Children and Young People Committee.. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/ECYP-28-05-2025?meeting=16462&iob=140586

City of Glasgow College. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=city+of+glasgow&uuId=645302324

Angus Training Group. (2025). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=512561535

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=859699715

Colleges Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?_b_index=60&uuId=926419716

Scottish Parliament. (2025, May 14). Official Report of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/ECYP-14-05-2025?meeting=16437&iob=140401

Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT). (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=SQA&uuId=147080433

Enginuity. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=federation&uuId=845668801

Stirling Council. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=stirling&uuId=304015281

Scottish Training Federation. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=&uuId=226789255

Scottish Parliament. (2025, May 7). Official Report of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/ECYP-07-05-2025?meeting=16406&iob=140157

Skills Development Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=551654273

Scottish Parliament. (2025, April 30). Official Report of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EFW-30-04-2025?meeting=16395&iob=140045

Scottish Chambers of Commerce. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=chamber&uuId=750327770

Royal Society of Edinburgh. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=&uuId=222757570

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=SQA&uuId=1063560344

PCS Union. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=921238457

Skills Development Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training Bill: Financial Memorandum call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/finance/tertiary-education-and-training-bill-fm-cfvs/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=350389584

Scottish Parliament. (2025, May 21). Official Report of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/ECYP-21-05-2025?meeting=16451&iob=140480

Universities Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=1062030708

University of St Andrews. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=805783189

UNISON Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=1021560515

Scottish Government. (2025, February 5). Financial Memorandum for the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/tertiary-education-and-training-funding-and-governance-scotland-bill/introduced/financial-memorandum-accessible.pdf

Government Actuary’s Department, UK Government. (2024, November). Staff Transfers. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/staff-transfers [accessed 18 June 2025]

Skills Development Scotland. (2025, May 1). Additional submission. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?_b_index=0&uuId=893391677

Scottish Funding Council. (2025, May 20). Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill - Letter from the Scottish Funding Council. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/education-children-and-young-people-committee/correspondence/2025/sfc-to-ecyp-20-may-25.pdf

Scottish Funding Council. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=249757860

Scottish Government. (2025, February 5). Policy Memorandum for the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/tertiary-education-and-training-funding-and-governance-scotland-bill/introduced/policy-memorandum-accessible.pdf

Aberdeenshire Council. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=&uuId=311628653

East Ayrshire Council Education Service. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=&uuId=886548673

NHS Education For Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=854268261

Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT). (2025, May 21). Additional submission. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=Scottish+Electrical+Charitable+Training+Trust+%28SECTT%29&uuId=1025335891

Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF). (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=377689550

SAAB. (2025, June 2). Supplementary Information. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?_b_index=60&uuId=980852166

Scottish Parliament. (2025, April 2). Official Report of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EFW-02-04-2025?meeting=16366&iob=139806

UK Fashion and Textile Association Ltd (UKFT). (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=fashion&uuId=674235282

Skills Federation. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=federation&uuId=239082170

Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=161232280

Scottish Parliament. (2025, July 2). Correspondence from the Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans to the Education, Children and Young People Committee, follow-up to Stage 1 evidence session on 28 May 2025. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-education-children-and-young-people-committee/correspondence/2025/tet-bill-follow-up-to-stage-1-evidence-session-on-28-may-2025

University of Stirling. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=221775053

CBI. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=CBI&uuId=96532299

Skills Development Scotland. (2025, May 13). Modern Apprenticeship Statistics: Financial Year 2024/25. Retrieved from https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/qqqn3kz4/modern-apprenticeship-statistics-quarter-4-2024-25.pdf [accessed 13 June 2025]

Scottish Parliament. (2025, March 26). Official Report of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EFW-26-03-2025?meeting=16353&iob=139676

Federation of Small Businesses. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=190094543

UK Government. (2016, December 12). Pay Apprenticeship Levy. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-apprenticeship-levy

Scottish Parliament. (2025, April 23). Official Report of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EFW-23-04-2025?meeting=16383&iob=139936

Scottish Government. (2019). 7 things that you need to know about Scottish apprenticeships, 2019 update. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-apprenticeships-seven-things-you-need-to-know/ [accessed 16 June 2025]

SCD-Learn. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=&uuId=704054936

Colleges Scotland. (2025, May 23). Additional Information. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=college&uuId=716167826

Scottish Funding Council. (2025, May 23). Additional Information. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=sinea&uuId=81802561

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. (2025, May 26). Correspondence to the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=comhairle&uuId=144398694

Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF). (2025, June 10). Clarification. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=snipef&uuId=714466112

Skills Development Scotland. (2025, June 13). Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill - response to follow-up request from Skills Development Scotland. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/education-children-and-young-people-committee/correspondence/2025/tet-bill-sds-to-convener-22-may-2025.pdf

Scottish Government. (2025, February 5). Explanatory Notes for the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/tertiary-education-and-training-funding-and-governance-scotland-bill/introduced/explanatory-notes-accessible.pdf

Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS). (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=778359343

Energy & Utility Skills Ltd. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=Utility+Skills&uuId=567445253

Scottish Parliament. (2025, June 25). Official Report of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/recent-publication?meeting=16529&iob=141157

Scottish Parliament. (2025, June 26). Official Report of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/recent-publication?meeting=16530&iob=141159

Committee of Scottish Chairs. (2023). The 2023 Code: Scottish Code for Good Higher Education Governance. Retrieved from http://www.scottishuniversitygovernance.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GOOD-HE-GOVERNANCE-A4-REPORT-2023.pdf [accessed 26 June 2025]

University and College Union (UCU) Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=&uuId=414068699

Scottish Funding Council. (2025). Investigation into financial oversight and decision making at the University of Dundee. Retrieved from https://www.sfc.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Gillies-Report.pdf [accessed 2 July 2025]

Public Audit Committee. (2025). Correspondence from the Public Audit Committee to the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/public-audit-committee/correspondence/2025/forth-valley-college-pac-to-ecypc-20-june-2025.pdf [accessed 3 2025]

Rewards Training Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=625170768

QMU Careers and Employability. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=&uuId=914699373

Bòrd na Gàidhlig. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=B%C3%B2rd+na+G%C3%A0idhlig&uuId=177700774

The Open University in Scotland. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=720573093

Prosper. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?_b_index=0&uuId=1017692377

SAAB. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=saab&uuId=736569982

Skills Development Scotland. (2025). Standards and Frameworks Group Membership. Retrieved from https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/apprenticeships/the-scottish-apprenticeship-advisory-board/standards-and-frameworks-group [accessed 17 June 2025]

Skills Development Scotland. (2025). Apprenticeship Approvals Group Membership. Retrieved from https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-approvals-group/apprenticeship-approvals-group-membership [accessed 17 June 2025]

Scottish Government. (2025, April 28). Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill - Correction to the Policy Memorandum. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-education-children-and-young-people-committee/correspondence/2025/tet-bill-correction-to-the-policy-memorandum

Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=tople&uuId=1052610453

MCR Pathways. (2025, April). Response to the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill call for views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ecyp/tertiary-education-and-training-bill/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=637951192

Last Updated: 16/11 9:30pm

An error occured while loading, please try again in a few minutes.