Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our goal is to ensure our services are accessible to all, whoever they are, wherever they live, whatever their needs. We also aim to be a employer of choice and exemplar of fair work.

We are passionate about our role as a leader in inclusive growth within the public sector and ensure equality and fair work principles are at the heart of everything we do.

Our duty

The Equality Act 2010 and the Specific Duties (Scotland) Regulations 2012 detail the requirements of public bodies, which includes considering the general equality duty in everything we do. This requires us to:

Advance equality of opportunity
Foster good relations and
Eliminate unlawful discrimination

Equality and Diversity Mainstreaming Report

At Skills Development Scotland, we are committed to creating a fairer, more inclusive Scotland where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. The latest update to our Equality and Diversity Mainstreaming Report outlines the progress we’ve made towards our equality outcomes, including increasing representation among minority ethnic, disabled, and care-experienced individuals in apprenticeships. It reflects our ongoing efforts to embed inclusive practices across our services, strengthen governance, and ensure that equality and diversity remain central to everything we do.

SDS is proud to publish its sixth Equality and Diversity Mainstreaming Report (2025–2029), outlining our continued commitment to embedding equality across all aspects of our work. Building on the progress made over the past four years, this report sets out four new equality outcomes shaped by extensive consultation and robust evidence. These outcomes aim to ensure inclusive access to services, address occupational segregation, support effective transitions for young people, and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Together, they reflect SDS’s vision for a fairer, more inclusive Scotland.

The Equality Evidence Review 2025, produced by Skills Development Scotland Evaluation and Research team presents a comprehensive analysis of how individuals across protected characteristics experience the education and skills system in Scotland. This evidence base supports SDS’s commitment to inclusive growth and informs future equality outcomes and strategic planning.

Key highlights include:

analysis of participation and progression barriers by age, disability, gender, and care experience
insights into outcomes for groups based on race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, and gender reassignment
data on poverty, pregnancy and maternity, and intersectional inequalities
figures and tables illustrating trends in school leaver destinations, employment rates and subject choices.

Equality Impact Assessments

Our Equality Impact Assessments are a way of systematically and thoroughly assessing the effects that a proposed or existing policy or practice is likely to have on different protected groups. The Public Sector Equality Duties requires SDS and other public bodies to conduct an Equality Impact Assessment of new and revised policies and practices. By completing these and progressing actions which are identified during this process, we can be confident that our policies and the services we provide are as inclusive as possible.

Corporate parenting

We’re proud to reaffirm our commitment to Care Experienced children and young people across Scotland on our Corporate Parenting Plan 2024-2027. As the national skills agency, we aim to ensure every young person feels valued, heard, and empowered to reach their potential. This plan builds on our progress and supports the national vision of The Promise—that Care Experienced young people grow up loved, safe, and respected.

Key highlights

Three Commitments: Listening and acting on young people’s voices, supporting colleagues to be caring Corporate Parents, and working with partners for lasting change.
Inclusive Approach: We offer person-centred support to anyone who identifies as Care Experienced, regardless of age or care setting.

British Sign Language (BSL)

BSL users can access our services via Scotland’s BSL interpreting video relay service.

Recognition

SDS is a Disability Confident employer. This means we have agreed to take action to meet our commitment regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees.

We have also achieved the Investors in People (IIP) Platinum award.

SDS has also recently received a Carer Positive Engaged accreditation, recognising the policies and procedures that we have in place to support any staff who have caring responsibilities.

Equality in our Careers Information, Advice and Guidance services

We are committed to providing an inclusive Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) service that promotes equality and values diversity.

Individuals are supported through our CIAG service offers to develop their Career Management Skills (CMS), broaden their horizons and make well informed career choices that are based on their interests and strengths and are unrestricted by preconceptions, stereotypes or perceived barriers.

We recognise that individuals have different needs and require different levels of support to achieve their potential. SDS advisers provide a tailored service that is determined by the specific needs of each customer.

For more information see our section on Scotland's careers services.

It’s a privilege to advise and guide a young person on their journey through school and watch them go into work, training, further education or an apprenticeship. Their confidence and ability grows in front of your eyes, and it’s priceless seeing the smile on their face when they come to tell you they’ve got the offer they wanted.

Annah Masahi

School Careers Adviser

Equality in apprenticeships

We are committed to diversity and inclusion across our Apprenticeship and other employability programmes we support.

Customer data by equality groups is monitored to ensure that we can provide a range of targeted activities and training, focused on supporting individuals to access and successfully complete apprenticeships.

We provide support to individuals, training providers and employers in relation to real and perceived barriers to accessing our services, to ensure that diversity and inclusions is embedded within our services.

Further information and resources

For information on the resources we provide for training providers delivering apprenticeships, please visit our training provider area.
If you're thinking of becoming or taking on an apprentice, then head to Apprenticeships.scot to find out what you can do and how we'll support you.

Watch Mavis Nana Arko's story