A major row has broken out over college funding after it was revealed Dundee and Angus College was forced to turn down more applicants than it accepted this year.
However, although the institute accepted there were resource pressures, it pointed out it has taken on more students compared to last year.
It followed a fiery exchange in Holyrood’s debating chamber, where Finance Secretary John Swinney accused Labour MSP Jenny Marra of putting forward “dodgy” figures showing 818 people failed to make it on to engineering courses.
It later emerged that, of the 11,405 people who applied to the college this year, 5,510 were taken on.
Principal Christina Potter confirmed the numbers but Dundee-based Ms Marra was accused of “talking down” the facility by a fellow MSP.
Mr Swinney also announced £140 million to deliver new college campuses for Fife and Forth Valley although Scottish Government officials were unable to clarify how the cash would be divided.
Mrs Potter said: “Essentially the figures quoted by Jenny Marra MSP are correct. There is a strong demand for full-time college courses and in all subject areas applications outstripped places available.
“Engineering has grown in popularity in recent years and this year we had over 1,100 applications for 360 places.
“It should be noted that this is not unique to D&A College. Typically all colleges receive more applicants than they have places. We are constrained by our physical resources, staffing levels and the funding we receive.
“To take on more students we would need not only an increase in revenue funding but also capital investment to expand workshops and classrooms.
“Despite cuts in college funding in recent years putting additional pressure on our resources, D&A College has taken on more students this year than last.”
Ms Marra hit out at the Scottish Government’s budget, outlined by Mr Swinney yesterday, claiming there is “a big mis-match between training places and the needs of the economy”.
She added: “In Dundee, with its proud history in engineering, 800 students have been unable to start studying engineering at college because the Government is not funding enough college places.”
SNP Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick replied: “I think people should be careful to check their facts before they effectively talk down our college in the Scottish Parliament.
“This is not the first time Jenny has gone in all guns blazing without checking her facts.”