Equality, diversity and inclusion
Our Equality Vision Statement (2025–2029)
Our vision is a fairer, more inclusive Scotland where every person—especially those who face multiple disadvantage—can access, shape and succeed in a dynamic skills and careers ecosystem. We will embed equality, diversity and human rights across all we do, ensuring our services, partnerships and workplace culture enable people to develop the skills, confidence and agency to thrive in an inclusive labour market.
Our promise as Scotland’s national skills agency is to design and deliver inclusive services, actively tackle occupational segregation by gender and race, and support effective transitions for disabled, care experienced, LGBT+ and minority ethnic young people—so no one is left behind.
Our commitment as a Corporate Parent is to listen to care experienced young people, act on what they tell us, equip our colleagues to be caring, trauma‑informed and rights‑aware, and collaborate with partners to uphold “The Promise”—ensuring care experienced young people grow up loved, safe and respected and achieve their full potential.
Our responsibility: Public bodies are required by the Equality Act 2010 and the Specific Duties (Scotland) Regulations 2012 to promote equality, foster positive relations, and prevent discrimination in all their activities.
Our equality outcomes
Our equality outcomes for 2025–29 are shaped by feedback from consultations and the Equality Evidence Review. Following EHRC good practice, we’ve focused on groups where evidence shows the greatest need and potential impact. These outcomes are not exhaustive and do not exclude others who may benefit. SDS’s four equality outcomes are:
Equality & Diversity Mainstreaming Report
We’re proud to launch our 6th Equality & Diversity Mainstreaming Report, setting out four new outcomes to drive inclusion, tackle segregation, support young people, and build a diverse workplace. Together, we’re shaping a fairer Scotland
Equality and Diversity Mainstreaming Report (update)
This update provides an overview of progress and key developments in delivering our Equality and Diversity Mainstreaming commitments for 2021–2025
Corporate Parenting Plan 2024-2027
We’re committed to empowering Care Experienced young people across Scotland
Equality Evidence Review 2025
Insights on protected characteristics shaping Scotland’s education and skills system, driving SDS’s inclusive growth and future planning.
Equality Impact Assessments
At Skills Development Scotland, we make sure our policies and services work for everyone. Through our Integrated Equality Impact Assessments, we check decisions are fair, inclusive, and remove barriers—so everyone has the chance to succeed.
Focal Point Groups
We work closely with a number of equality organisations to ensure that our work is inclusive and takes into account the needs and experiences of different groups.
Evaluation and Research
Our Evaluation and Research team delivers data-driven insights to inform skills policy and improve opportunities across Scotland.
Gender Commission
The Gender Commission was set up in response to findings by SAAB Group Board to look at current trends within apprenticeships and identified a need to provide visible, industry leadership by setting up a commission to address gender imbalance.
Race Commission
The Race Commission is crucial to building an apprenticeship system that actively addresses racial inequalities, equipping businesses with practical tools to diversify their workforce.
Employee stories
Our colleagues share what makes Skills Development Scotland a great place to work.
Employee storiesSDS colleague networks
At SDS, we have two official staff networks:
- Pride Unified – supporting LGBTQ+ colleagues and their allies
- Diversability Network – supporting disabled colleagues.
- In addition to these, we also host informal online networks such as the Menopause Café and a Men’sMental Health group, providing spaces for supportive conversations that promote wellbeing and mental health.