Edinburgh College's ESOL courses helping students overcome barriers into work
Edinburgh College has published a new report highlighting the impact of its English for Work programmes in tackling barriers to employment and career progression, amid rising demand for English language provision across Scotland.
Titled ‘Addressing Language as a Barrier to Work and Progression’, the report examines the impact of the College’s English for Work programme amid an increase in demand for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses, as students look to develop the English language skills needed to access job opportunities and succeed in the workplace.
The report’s findings demonstrate the success of the College’s English for Work programmes and highlight the important role they can play in tackling key economic issues at a regional level, such as skills shortages, economic inactivity and in-work poverty. Significantly, 70% of students on English for Work programmes are undertaking the programme to help them enter their chosen industry for the first time, with the remaining 30% already working in their chosen industry but looking to progress their careers. In addition, student satisfaction is high, with 90% rating their course as ‘good’ or ‘excellent,’ and 88% reporting that the course is improving their confidence in using English in a workplace setting. Meanwhile interviews with employers who support the programme – through taking student placements – suggests these employers value the programme as a potential recruitment pipeline that can help them to expand and diversify their workforce.
Demand for English language courses at the College continues to grow, with over 100 additional ESOL students enrolled in Semester 1 of 2025-26 compared to the previous year. This growth is partly due to the introduction of a series of industry-specific ESOL courses, including the new English for Access to Construction programme.
Building on the success of the programme, the College has taken practical steps to expand and enhance facilities for ESOL students - creating dedicated learning and social spaces where they can study and connect with their classmates.
Looking ahead, the College aims to use the findings from this research to inform future development and ensure that growth in this area aligns with both individual needs and the demands of the regional labour market.
Commenting on the launch of the report, Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said:
“We’re delighted to launch this new report which aims to show the important role our English for Work programmes have on supporting people to enter the workplace and highlights how our College serves as a place of social sanctuary, cultural diversity, and economic dynamism for the Edinburgh city-region.
“Our English for Work courses are just one part of a much broader ESOL provision. In fact, ESOL is consistently (and increasingly) one of the most over-subscribed curriculum areas of the College. Our findings give an indication of the potential our ESOL offer has to grow and evolve in the years ahead and suggest there is need for all of us in the city to explore how we could work together to ensure provision in this area is expanded, not just as a means of meeting demand from individuals, but also to ensure we unlock their true potential for the benefit of our communities and the economy of our city region as a whole.
“I’d like to thank all our staff who work tirelessly to support our students in this area, and all our partners who gave their time to participate in this research. I look forward to engaging with our colleagues, partners and stakeholders on the results as we continue to work together towards our shared goals in supporting everyone in our communities to play a full and active role in the social and economic life of our city region.”
You can read the full report below.
Addressing Language As A Barrier To Work And Progression, Edinburgh College