COLLEGES and universities need urgent investment to avoid “dire consequences” for economic and employment opportunities, the Scottish government has been warned.

The SNP’s draft budget, expected to be delivered on December 15, must include funding for post-school education, Colleges Scotland and Universities Scotland said in a joint statement.

Both organisations said the Scottish government’s key aims of economic transition, climate mitigation and tackling child poverty cannot be achieved without helping graduates enter the economy at the right time.

Higher and further education is facing significant financial challenges, with both sectors warning that a lack of funding would have long-term detrimental effects.

The organisations warned that Scotland risks losing out on tens of thousands of jobs in emerging green industries and sectors like high-value manufacturing and quantum technologies if there is insufficient investment in skills development.

Shona Struthers, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, warned that not investing will see “dire consequences which will damage Scotland for decades to come.”

The Scottish government has been approached for comment.