What Is Borders College & Why Are They at the Heart of Tech Connect?
The College that’s not just hosting BTC — it’s helping build it
At every Borders Tech Connect event so far — whether a meet-up or workshop — one constant has been clear: we couldn’t do this without Borders College.
They’ve hosted us, backed us, contributed ideas, and most importantly, brought people into the room who needed to be there — students, staff, and the wider business community.
This post is for anyone wondering what role Borders College plays in all this — and why it’s so central to the work we’re trying to do across the Borders.
A Quick Introduction to Borders College
Borders College is the further education college serving the Scottish Borders. With campuses in Galashiels, Hawick, and the wider region, they deliver:
Full-time and part-time courses
Apprenticeships and school-based learning
Community and workforce development
Business-focused training
The College is organised around four sectors:
Creative, Enterprise, Technology and Essential Skills
Applied Construction & Engineering
Land-based and Rural Skills
Health, Social Care, Sport & Supported Programmes
Each year, they work with around 4,000 learners — many of whom go directly into work, entrepreneurship, or further education in the region.
Why Borders College Is Involved in BTC
As Dale Clancy — Head of Sector for Business, Computing and Creative Industries — said at our launch:
“We see Borders Tech Connect as an opportunity to do what education should be doing — connecting people, supporting practical innovation, and bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world.”
That’s not just talk.
The College has:
Hosted our meet-up and workshops on campus
Helped students take part in live no-code builds with real businesses
Encouraged staff to explore CPD through BTC and upskilling sessions
Engaged directly with the local business community to identify areas of need
They’re not just giving us space — they’re helping shape the system.
A Region Seeing Growth in Digital Learning
Here’s the quiet transformation underway:
A 121% increase in computing enrolments over two years
(from 53 to 117 students across FT and PT courses)
A 36% increase in business learners over the same period
Rising demand across all sectors for digital skills — not just in tech roles, but across administration, logistics, creative, and trades
And with that growth, there’s also a shift in approach:
More live project experience
More emphasis on employability and soft skills
More outward-facing, real-world collaboration
BTC isn’t something separate — it’s woven into how the College sees its future.
Practical Solutions for Local Challenges
Through Borders Tech Connect, the College is helping:
Run workshops focused on local business needs
Empower rural organisations to automate, improve workflows, and experiment
Connect students and businesses in a way that’s organic, ongoing, and regionally relevant
These aren’t one-off projects — they’re seeds for longer-term change. Students walk away with portfolio pieces and practical confidence. Businesses get lightweight, accessible tools and new ways of thinking about systems.
And both walk away with new relationships.
Why This Matters
There’s a lot of talk about how education should “bridge the gap” between theory and practice. Borders College is already doing it.
By embedding themselves into the BTC model — not just hosting but actively shaping and participating — they’re showing what it looks like when education becomes infrastructure for innovation.
This isn’t a bolt-on. It’s the start of a system where students, educators, and businesses build the region’s digital future together.
