Transforming Lives, Transforming Scotland

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• Transforming Lives, Transforming Scotland
• The True Value of Leadership
• Dr Craig Thomson
• Principal, Adam Smith College
• Chair, Scotlands Colleges International

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Transforming Lives Transforming Scotland

• Learning transforms lives !

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Nick's Story "At 53 Im proof that you can change
your career at any age! I decided to come to
College after being made redundant and Im
thoroughly enjoying training to become a chef.
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Loredana Ingrosso SVQ Hairdressing I really
enjoyed my course. Working in the salon and doing
my SVQ has been ideal for me. I was thrilled when
I received an award at a national colouring
competition, it was such a great surprise for me
and my tutors."
Adam Smith College Fife, Scotland

Adam Smith the father of modern economics.
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Our core purpose

• Inspiring Learning
• In the period covered by this plan, we will focus
  on people as individuals and in their roles as
  employees, employers and citizens and will make a
  significant, recognised and valued contribution
  to
• the personal development of our learners
• economic and business development
• community and social development
• Adam Smith College
• Corporate Plan
• First Aim

Sara Murphy - HND Furniture, Design and
Production Coming to Scotland to do this course
is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
The many skills I have gained on this course have
given me the confidence to enjoy the challenge of
making my spider chair which was exhibited at the
Colleges design show. I hope to go travelling
soon, including back home to Ireland, and
eventually Id like to settle and open my own
furniture workshop.
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Michael OGorman - HND Architectural
Technology "Since my schooldays, I wanted to have
a career in architecture but thought it an
unachievable goal. Studying for an HND in
Architectural Technology has been inspirational.
The scholarship I was awarded through the College
from Richmond Homes has meant that I can now buy
textbooks and laptop to help me study on the
move."
Rt. Hon Gordon Brown Chancellor of Adam Smith
College (..and UK Prime Minister)
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Profile
Derek Jackson - Cisco Certified Networking
Professional (CCNP) "Within minutes of meeting
the staff at the College and seeing the structure
of the course and equipment available I knew that
this course was for me. The excellent online
learning materials have also enabled me to study
from home or at the office. I would recommend
this course to anyone who wishes to develop their
skills within the networking area".
5 main campuses community-based
locations 32m turnover 25,000
students 4,000 full-time students 20,000
part-time students 5,000,000 Learning
Hours 52 Female / 48 Male Average age of
students - 28.
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Profile
Derek Jackson - Cisco Certified Networking
Professional (CCNP) "Within minutes of meeting
the staff at the College and seeing the structure
of the course and equipment available I knew that
this course was for me. The excellent online
learning materials have also enabled me to study
from home or at the office. I would recommend
this course to anyone who wishes to develop their
skills within the networking area".
Im Adam Smith ... Were Adam Smith
5 main campuses community-based
locations 32m turnover 25,000
students 4,000 full-time students 20,000
part-time students 5,000,000 Learning
Hours 52 Female / 48 Male Average age of
students - 28.
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Overview Three main parts
1. Colleges playing a recognised role in the
transformation of Scotland
Next ?
3. Leadership Programme
2. How we got here
1998
2007
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Overview Three main parts
1. Colleges playing a recognised role in the
transformation of Scotland
Next ?
3. Leadership Programme
2. How we got here
1998
2007
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1. Colleges playing a recognised role in the
transformation of Scotland
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New Government New challenges
New Government New policies Strategic Spending
Review
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New Government New challenges
In 2007, more than ever before, Scotlands
Colleges have successfully positioned themselves
to lobby and influence and to show competence,
focus, impact and value for money.
New Government New policies Strategic Spending
Review
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New Government New challenges

• Scotlands Colleges Election Manifesto February
  07
• Scotlands Colleges Forward Together

New Government New policies Strategic Spending
Review
The Scottish Executive Review of Scotlands
Colleges June 07 Transforming lives,
Transforming Scotland
Submission to the Strategic Spending Review
September 07 Building a Better Scotland
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External Review by Government and Stakeholders

• Scotlands Colleges Election Manifesto February
  07
• Scotlands Colleges Forward Together

New Government New policies Strategic Spending
Review
Government Review of Scotlands Colleges June
07 Transforming Lives, Transforming Scotland
Submission to the Strategic Spending Review
September 07 Building a Better Scotland
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Transforming Lives, Transforming Scotland -
Conclusions

• Scotlands Colleges
• make a key contribution to economic prosperity.
• make a key contribution to tackling poverty and
  disadvantage.
• help narrow the gap in employment and reduce
  economic inactivity.
• enrich the cultural fabric of the nation.
• help Scotland connect globally.
• increase confidence and personal fulfilment.

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Transforming Lives, Transforming Scotland -
Conclusions

• For every 1 invested in Scotlands Colleges,
  Scotlands economy benefits by at least 3.20.
• This represents an excellent return on
  investment
• Scotlands Colleges contribute at least 1.3bn
  to the economy through improving
  qualifications.
• In terms of bangs for the buck, Colleges deliver
  magnificently for society, particularly in
  deprived areas.

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2. How we got here
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Scotlands Colleges Our Journey

• Pre 1993
• Local government controlled
• Post 1993
• Incorporated / independent bodies
• 1993-2000
• Disaggregated, limited common purpose,
  competitive, low self-esteem
• 2001-2007
• Better funded, re-branded, better led, higher
  profile, shared purpose, cohesive

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Scotlands Colleges Our Journey

• Pre 1993
• Local government controlled
• Post 1993
• Incorporated / independent bodies
• 1993-2000
• Disaggregated, limited common purpose,
  competitive, low self-esteem
• 2001-2007
• Better funded, re-branded, better led, higher
  profile, shared purpose, cohesive

2000/01 Over half of Scotlands Colleges in
serious financial difficulties ... An
under-performing tail Colleges are
under-utilised assets in their communities ...
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Scotlands Colleges Our Journey since 2001/02

• Funding ? is increased over several years not
  just for more volume but to improve the unit of
  resource.
• Cohesion ? Principals Forum moves on to new
  level shared values, shared views, stronger
  voice.
• Re-branding ? Scotlands Colleges created as a
  brand with much clearer promotion of brand
  values.
• Collaboration ? Sector rejects narrow
  competition peace breaks out.

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Scotlands Colleges Our Journey since 2001/02

• Leadership ? Leaders step forward vision /
  foresight
• ? Principals CPD programme begins Leading and
  Learning together
• Reality ? Not everyone joined in some
  resistance / old behaviour dies hard

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Scotlands Colleges Our Journey since 2001/02

• Leadership ? Leaders step forward vision /
  foresight
• ? Principals CPD programme begins Leading and
  Learning together
• Reality ? Not everyone joined in some
  resistance / old behaviour dies hard

Leadership
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3. Leadership Programme
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Scotlands Colleges Leading and Learning
Early 90s 02/03 04/05
06/07 No Leadership CPD Development
Principals CPD Programme Begins
Fully Established Fragmented / Collaborative
Cohesive Competitive Incorporation Fu
nding and profile Contribution
improve recognised
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Scotlands Colleges Leading and Learning
Early 90s 02/03 04/05
06/07 No Leadership CPD Development
Principals CPD Programme Begins
Fully Established Fragmented / Collaborative
Cohesive Competitive Incorporation Fu
nding and profile Contribution
improve recognised
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Designing the Programme

• Critical Incident Interviews with 32 of the 43
  principals in post at the time.
• Focus Group and Interviews used to establish what
  Principals wanted.
• Research to establish best practice.

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Designing the Programme
Learning is not only or even primarily about
obtaining correct information or answers from
knowledgeable others it is fundamentally about
making meaning out of the experience we and
others have in the world DIXON. The
Organizational Learning Cycle 1999
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Leadership CPD Programme Design

• X Not a management programme
• X Not the latest leadership theory
• X Not a boiled down MBA
• An understanding of issues and challenges in
  context
• Learning from peers
• Pick and Mix management skills
• GFO Go Find Out in Scotland and
  internationally
• Close fit with leadership development programme
  for second tier posts

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The Shape of the Programme
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The Shape of the Programme
Sessions exploring critical events and challenges
in context usually led by a Principal
Management Programme on line and attendance
Policy briefings, updates and debates
Events hosted by colleges International visits
and engagement
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The Shape of the Programme
Sessions exploring critical events and challenges
in context usually led by a Principal
Management Programme on line and attendance
Policy briefings, updates and debates
Events hosted by colleges International visits
and engagement
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Scotlands Colleges Leading and Learning

• What happened?
• Great improvements in
• institutional leadership
• leadership of the sector.

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• Lessons learned..

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What have we learned from this?

• Money helps.
• A bit of financial headroom creates
• the opportunity for ambition
• a climate in which leaders are more likely to
  embrace risk
• confidence
• optimism
• the option of collaboration

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What have we learned from this?

• A successful sector is dependent on successful
  individual institutions.
• A collaborative CPD programme for institutional
  leaders will also develop leadership drive and
  capacity for the sector.
• A well led sector is more than the sum of its
  parts.

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What have we learned from this?

• CPD for leaders has to be about the senior team
  not just the Principal
• BUT space and time for Principals only is an
  essential requirement in enabling open discussion
  and achieving cohesion

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What have I learned from this?

• Learning transforms lives !

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craigthomson_at_adamsmith.ac.uk