Skills Planning
The Skills Planning Model is core to SDS’s role and purpose.
It shows how we aim to improve the response of education, training and careers services to the needs of industry and ensure that people have the best possible chance of succeeding in the world of work.
In order for individuals to achieve their potential, they must be equipped with the skills that Scotland’s economy and its employers need. Achieving this relies on:
- Building a robust evidence base which articulates the current and future skills demands of Scotland
- Intensive partnership work, at both a local and national level, to ensure that skills investment is evidence-based and aligned with skills demand
- Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) services that understand and use the evidence base, so that individuals are supported to make informed choices.
Skills Planning Model
Skills Planning Model explained...
The Skills Planning Model aims to ensure that individuals can access a careers service that helps them pursue opportunities important to the economy and its employers, whilst ensuring employers are able to recruit the right people with the right skills at the right time.
We work to understand skills demand through direct employer engagement, input from our engagement with employer groups and insights through partner agencies and data research.
This insight is used to develop regional and sectoral skills investment plans which inform investment in responsive education and training provision, matching learning with demand so people can make informed careers choices and can develop the right skills.
This model requires invested employers who actively engage in the design and delivery of the skills system to develop their current and future workforce; an intelligence-led system where skills design and delivery is agile and responsive to the needs of the economy; and an impactful public sector, maximising its contribution through collaboration, efficiency and innovation.
Evidence and Impact
Detailing and understanding Scotland’s current and future skills demand is a key part of the Skills Planning Model.
Regional Skills Assessments
Regional Skills Assessments provide a consistent evidence base to help us and our partners plan future skills investment.
Sectoral Skills Assessments
The Sectoral Skills Assessments look at current and future skills demand in key sectors across Scotland.
Data Matrix
The Data Matrix is an interactive tool, offering more detailed data from a variety of sources in a visually engaging format.
Economy, People and Skills Report
A monthly report with the latest evidence on Scotland's economy, people and skills, covering themes such as business confidence and key labour market data.
Workforce North
An initiative bringing together local businesses and inward investors to promote co-investment in talent development and retention across the Highlands and Islands.
Skills Investment Plans and Skills Action Plans
A wealth of information on how skills can drive growth and opportunities in Scotland's sectors and regions. Find out what we and our partners are doing to bring these plans to life.
Regional Skills Investment Plans
Our Skills Investment Planning approach extended to include Regional Skills Investment Plans, which recognise the diverse needs of regions across Scotland.
Green Skills Research and Evidence
The latest Intelligence on green jobs and skills in Scotland
Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland
The Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland sets out our partnership approach to developing the skills and talent needed to make sure that Scotland's rural economy and communities continue to flourish and grow.