Increasing competitiveness in Scottish further education could lead to some colleges going bankrupt

* Increasing competitiveness in Scottish further education could lead to some colleges going bankrupt, with the loss of opportunities for their local communities, the Educational Institute of Scotland has warned, writes Olga Wojtas.

Ronnie Smith, EIS general secretary, has written to the principals of all further education colleges calling for "a new partnership" between management and the union after several years of turmoil, in order to safeguard the sector's future.

"There have been very serious tensions, not only in terms of industrial relations where negotiations are now conducted on a college by college basis, but also among colleges which are now in a very competitive environment. We are seeing some quite predatory behaviour, which I don't think is healthy for the sector," said Mr Smith.