New skills strategy launched
The Scottish Government has refreshed the Skills for Scotland Strategy, which aims to simplify the skills system, empower individuals and employers to access help and support more effectively and better meet the needs of the key economic sectors and industries of the future.
The strategy was launched on October the 5th during a visit to Gems Engineering Ltd in Glasgow – one of the first employers to take advantage of the Flexible 5000 programme.
Skills and Lifelong Learning Minister Keith Brown said:
Skills are vital to employers of all sizes across all sectors of the economy and it is crucial that we have a strategy equipped to deal with the challenges and opportunities arising from the competitive environment we find ourselves in.
“This Strategy does just that by targeting support that meets the varying needs of both individuals and employers and the sectors of the future, including those in the low carbon economy.”
Councillor Alison Hay, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) spokesperson on Regeneration and Sustainable Development, said:
“COSLA has been involved in the drafting of the refreshed Strategy and we are fully supportive of its aims. We are conscious of the pressures on employers in the current economic situation and councils are keen to do all they can, despite reducing budgets, to ensure that people are equipped for the current jobs market and that employers do not have to contend with skills shortages. The Strategy refresh is therefore timeous and will assist all involved in this work.”
Jim Hendry, Managing Director of Gems Engineering Limited, said:
Gems Engineering Limited is delighted to be one of the first companies to benefit from the Flexible 5000 Training Programme. We are a company who believes in investing in our people through ongoing training and development – helping to both improve the skills of our staff and the quality of the service we provide to our customers.
To find out more read the full news release here.
To view a copy of the strategy click here.
Visit the Step Forward Scotland website.
For further information on the Flexible Training Opportunities programme click here.