A new strategy designed to make it easier for businesses and
individuals to access advice and support on skills was launched
today.
The Scottish Government has refreshed the Skills for Scotland
Strategy, which aims to simplify the skills system, empower
individuals and employers to access help and support more
effectively and better meet the needs of the key economic sectors
and industries of the future.
Building on the 2007 skills strategy, it takes into account the
changed economic climate and the new challenges facing businesses
looking to support sustainable employment.
Launching the Strategy during a visit to Gems Engineering Ltd in
Glasgow - one of the first employers to take advantage of the
Flexible 5000 programme - Skills and Lifelong Learning Minister
Keith Brown said:
"Our original Skills for Scotland Strategy was published three
years ago when economic conditions were very different from those
currently faced by individuals and employers across the
country.
"This refreshed Strategy makes clear the Scottish Government's
commitment to training and skills. It sets out a flexible,
responsive, partnership approach to meeting Scotland's skills needs
at a crucial point in our economic recovery.
"Skills are vital to employers of all sizes across all sectors
of the economy and it is crucial that we have a strategy equipped
to deal with the challenges and opportunities arising from the
competitive environment we find ourselves in.
"This Strategy does just that by targeting support that meets
the varying needs of both individuals and employers and the sectors
of the future, including those in the low carbon economy."
The strategy reinforces national targets for Skills Development
Scotland (SDS) which is already delivering more than 40,000
training opportunities this financial year, including up to 20,000
Modern Apprenticeships, 14,500 training places to support the
unemployed and 5,000 places through the Flexible Training
Opportunities programme. In addition more than 40,000 people are
expected to benefit from Individual Learning Accounts this
year.
It also builds on work already underway to support young people,
including the 'Step Forward Scotland' programme, a package of
measures launched in June to support young people leaving schools
and college this summer.
A series of programmes are planned, such as the new Wind Turbine
Modern Apprenticeship framework at Carnegie College in
Dunfermline.
Councillor Alison Hay, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
(COSLA) spokesperson on Regeneration and Sustainable Development,
said:
"COSLA has been involved in the drafting of the refreshed
Strategy and we are fully supportive of its aims. We are conscious
of the pressures on employers in the current economic situation and
councils are keen to do all they can, despite reducing budgets, to
ensure that people are equipped for the current jobs market and
that employers do not have to contend with skills shortages. The
Strategy refresh is therefore timeous and will assist all involved
in this work."
Janet Lowe, Chair of the Joint Scottish Funding Council and
Skills Development Scotland Skills Committee, said:
"The Skills Committee welcomes the government's refreshed Skills
Strategy. It provides a clear and timely focus on the importance of
skills for economic recovery in Scotland, together with an
ambitious programme of action that will inspire all partners to
work together to capitalise on Scotland's improving skills
base.
"The Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland
are working together to ensure that individuals and employers can
develop the right skills and use their skills effectively in the
workplace. We aim to ensure that the supply of learning
opportunities meets their aspirations and is relevant to the
economy of the future.
"The new Skills Strategy provides clear direction for the joint
Skills Committee's work programme and we look forward to playing a
key role in implementing the Strategy."
Jim Hendry, Managing Director of Gems Engineering Limited,
said:
"Gems Engineering Limited is delighted to be one of the first
companies to benefit from the Flexible 5000 Training Programme. We
are a company who believes in investing in our people through
ongoing training and development - helping to both improve the
skills of our staff and the quality of the service we provide to
our customers."
(Source: Scottish Government Press
Release)