The Community of Practice (CoP) programme began as a forum for support staff operating in the college sector to meet and share their thinking on key issues relating to their development within their role in college.

This agenda has grown and many Communities of Practice are actively involved in the formulation of strategy and the ongoing development of their members within their roles in colleges.

There are 13 groups which meet approximately three times a year for training and development.

• Economic Development
• Finance
• Guidance
• Health and Safety
• HR
• ICT
• International
• Librarians
• Marketing
• MIS
• Professional Development
• Quality
• Secretary to the Board

Communities of Practice provide each member with:

• a way to gain development opportunities
• a way to enhance college services
• a resource for advice and direction
• a mechanism to promote sharing of practice
• a mechanism to work with key partners from outwith the sector.

Scotland’s Colleges is committed to supporting the Communities of Practice to achieve a sustainable and efficient model of practice.

We will work with the Steering Group for each Community and will:

• use Scotland’s Colleges core funding to support delegate fees at two annual events for each CoP
• develop the use of alternative methods of communication and sharing of practice through web-based conferencing options
• facilitate sharing of activity and collaboration throughout the CoP networks
• support activities to increase funding through sponsorship and related activities
• continue to provide support for CoP development through Scotland’s Colleges lead contact system
• continue to review remits/constitutions for each group to ensure topicality.

Sponsor a Community of Practice

For further information please contact Joanne Buchan.