News Updates

Work-based learning and apprenticeships also play a central role in the Future Skills Action Plan, which outlines the Scottish Government’s vision for Scotland’s skills system.

Scottish Government worked in close collaboration with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to develop the Action Plan, which builds on the Strategic Plan of the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board.

The strategy reinforces the view set out in SDS’s Skills 4.0 – A skills model to drive Scotland’s Future that people’s ‘meta-skills’ are vital to ensure individuals and industry can adapt within a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Meta-skills are the human skills such as communication, teamwork and creativity that create adaptive learners.

Upskilling and reskilling to reduce skills gaps

SDS Chair Frank Mitchell said: “This plan outlines how we will create a more responsive system led by government and employers that drives upskilling and reskilling to reduce skills gaps, increase resilience and boost productivity.”

Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “Scotland’s highly skilled workforce ensures we are an ambitious, productive and competitive nation.

“While we already have a strong skills system in place, further change is needed to enable us to move forward confidently. This includes considering what skills provision is required and how we ensure the system is both agile and sustainable.

“The Future Skills Action Plan clearly signals our intention to invest more in the skills of those already in work, while promoting a culture of shared investment with employers in Scotland’s future workforce.”