Upskilling workers, identifying and filling skills gaps and bringing more people back into the workforce will help to drive Scotland's productivity.
In 2023, the independent review of the skills delivery landscape was published. This made several wide-ranging recommendations to simplify skills provision in Scotland.
Read the Skills delivery landscape: independent review
The Economy and Fair Work Committee agreed to hold evidence sessions with employers and stakeholders to consider progress so far and further actions needed to meet industry demand for skills in Scotland, including green skills.
This work was focused on wider skills policy and complemented the Stage 1 scrutiny of the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill by the Education, Children and Young People Committee.
Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill
The Committee received written views from the following organisations:
Skills Development Scotland (supplementary evidence)
Construction Industry Training Board
Scottish Training Federation 1
Scottish Training Federation 2
Scottish Decorators Federation
Evidence sessions took place on 26 March, 2 April, 23 April, and 30 April. The Committee also held informal sessions with apprentices from different sectors.
After completing this work, the Committee shared its findings with the Education, Children and Young People Committee.
The inquiry was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:
Letter to the Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, 27 May 2025
Letter from Colleges Scotland, 23 May 2025
Letter to PCS Union, 7 May 2025
Letter from Scottish Funding Council, 2 May 2025
Letter from PCS Union, 16 April 2025