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.
The Career Review is the most comprehensive review of Scotland’s career services in a generation.
Find out more
View the 'Careers by Design' report and accompanying resources from the Career Review Programme Board.
The Career Review has co-designed ten evidence-based recommendations with young people and stakeholders.
Explore the extensive evidence base gathered on the Scottish Career System through commissioned reports and additional whitepapers.
The Programme Board will work with practitioners, stakeholders, career influencers and those with lived experience on the next stage of the Career Review.
Strategic Plan 2019-22
Annual Review 2020/21
SDS Publication Schedule
Modern Apprenticeship Frameworks
SDS Operating Plan 2021-22
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.
Our web service which helps parents and carers support their children to make career decisions, guided by information on the future world of work.
Developed in collaboration with industry, Digital World promotes careers in Scotland's digital technologies sector.
Read about the experiences of some of our partners on how the 16+ Data Hub works in practice.
How the 16+ Data Hub is making a difference to young people in the area.
Read Aberdeenshire Council's case study
Information sharing is helping target resources for learners including vulnerable students.
Read Ayrshire College's case study
The drive towards 'making data more meaningful' within Berwickshire High School in the Scottish Borders.
Read Berwickshire High School's case study
Secondary schools embracing information sharing will help local authorities shape the services of the future.
Read the Borders Council's case study
Information sharing is helping one forward-thinking local authority support young people leaving care.
Read East Ayrshire Council's case study
How East Dunbartonshire Council have been utilising the 16+ Data Hub.
Read East Dunbartonshire Council's case study
Information on school engagement within East Dunbartonshire.
Read East Dunbartonshire's case study
Develop existing partner links by supporting students more effectively from an earlier stage in their learning journey.
Read East Lothian Council's case study
Read Edinburgh College's case study
Creating more opportunities for young people is at the heart of information sharing.
Read Falkirk Council's case study
Information sharing is a powerful tool for any local authority committed to supporting young people as they leave school for training, study or work.
Read Inverclyde Council's case study
Joe Bodman explains the far-reaching benefits and challenges of data sharing.
Read Moray Council's case study
Perth and Kinross Council is working closely with SDS to use data sharing to create more opportunities for young people.
Read Perth Council's case study
Being able to help students with learning difficulties sooner and more effectively could be a key benefit of information sharing.
Read South Lanarkshire College's case study
How South Lanarkshire Council is utilising the 16+ Data Hub to improve the learning experiences of young people.
Read South Lanarkshire Council's case study
Skills Development Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council have worked collaboratively to engage directly with schools to highlight the importance of effective data sharing.
Read South Lanarkshire's case study
Helping young people find work, training or further study after leaving school is a key benefit of the 16+ Data-Hub.
Read West Dunbartonshire Council's case study
Schools in West Lothian are using data sharing to help shape the future for the area's young people
Read West Lothian Council's case study
