Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is Scotland’s national skills body. We contribute to Scotland’s sustainable economic growth by supporting people and businesses to develop and apply their skills. We work with our partners to provide services that deliver the very best outcomes for Scotland’s people, businesses and the economy.
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) works proactively with companies across the country to support employers to make the most of apprenticeships.
In this Corporate Plan for the 2019–2022 we set out the first stage of how we will enable people, mobilise employers and influence the skills system.
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To ensure Scotland’s retains a skilled workforce, we are working in with others to chart out a vision we are calling Scotland 2035 – A Human Future.
Discover real examples of the impact our work has on people, businesses and the Scottish learning and skills system in our strategic plan case studies.
Find out how we're working with other enterprise and skills agencies.
Looking to read our full Strategic Plan?
A summary document for our Strategic Plan 2019-22.
Strategic Plan 2019-22
Annual Review 2018-19
SDS Publication Schedule
Modern Apprenticeship Frameworks
SDS Operating Plan 2019-20
We work with a wide range of national and local partners to improve, align and integrate our services for customers.
Our web service, offering expert information and advice on careers, that's free to access for any individual - wherever they are in their learning or working life.
Our online service for Scottish apprenticeships. Find current vacancies and information on how to become an apprentice, as well as employer support on recruiting apprentices.
Our Skillsforce helps employers to locate and access local support, from advice to HR and funding - alongside information to help businesses engage with education.
Developed in collaboration with industry, Digital World promotes careers in Scotland's digital technologies sector.
Developed in partnership with leading Scottish universities, the Centre for Work-based Learning aims to establish the value of work-based learning in the Scottish education and training system.
Real examples of the impact our work has on people, businesses and the Scottish learning and skills system.
"Supporting the development of our crew at our HQ in Ellon is critical to our people strategy and it made absolute sense to get our workforce on board with gaining qualifications to benefit them both personally and professionally."
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“As careers advisers, we are always working to prepare young people for a world of work that is changing rapidly, promoting their skills and interests to help shape the future they want."
"Our ambition is to build Scotland’s most inclusive, responsive and effective regional college system and this exciting initiative has the potential to contribute significantly to the achievement of this aim."
“It is good to feel part of something and it’s going to sound a bit like an Oscars’ speech but I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my team and SDS in general."
"The most important thing to remember is that you’re never too old to learn. Your working life is a long time so try and get everything you possibly can out it."
