Modern slavery statement

At Edinburgh College, we are committed to protecting and respecting human rights and have a zero tolerance approach to slavery and human trafficking in all its forms.

This statement, made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, sets out the approach taken by Edinburgh College to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business, and the actions undertaken to mitigate any such risks during the financial year ended 31 July 2018.

Edinburgh College is one of Scotland’s largest Colleges with a large number of students across 4 campuses in Edinburgh and the Lothians. With over 700 vocational and academic programmes providing flexible learning opportunities to suit all learning needs. We work closely with universities and industry partners to ensure our curriculum is relevant and up to date to provide the best opportunities for employment or further study.

Our Commitment
We recognise that modern slavery is a significant global human rights issue and includes human trafficking. Our commitment is reflected throughout our values which are the key ideas and principals that people within our organisation and partners believe are important and they define the way we work. Underpinning our values is a student centred approach to all that we do whereby ‘we put student experience and welfare at the heart of all decisions we make and everything we do’.


The Edinburgh College Board of Management is committed to delivering high standards of corporate governance with a key element of this ensuring the College operates in a socially responsible way. The College aims to employ the highest ethical and professional standards and always to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the Further Education sector; Edinburgh College is fully committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in all its activities and its supply chains.

A significant proportion of our procurement is with suppliers who are pre- approved either by a purchasing consortium or through public tenders managed by our procurement team.

If evidence were found indicating modern slavery in our supply chains, we recognise our responsibility to work with others to address this.
This commitment is underpinned in our employee training programmes and staff and student policies. Edinburgh College expects the same high standards which we set for ourselves from those parties with whom we engage, such as our suppliers and partners.

Next Steps

In 2018/19, in addition to continuing our approach as outlined above, we will focus on the following:

  • Continue to raise awareness of modern slavery across the organisation
  • Ensure all our suppliers and partners share our commitment
  • Continue to review Modern Slavery due diligence in relation to our
    commitment that our values are the key ideas and principles that people within our organisation and partners believe are important

This statement will be reviewed every three years by the Board and signed on its behalf by Professor Sir Ian Diamond – Chair – Edinburgh College Board of Management