The Scottish Government's Skills Strategy - Skills for Scotland: a lifelong skills strategy - articulated the need for a new national skills system that is responsive to economic demand and individual need. This call to action served as the catalyst for the creation of Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in April 2008.
SDS brings together Careers Scotland, Scottish University for Industry, the skills elements of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise into one organisation. SDS are working to provide a cohesive and well integrated approach to information, advice and guidance and other skills interventions for both individuals and employers in Scotland.
For more information about SDS, who they are and what they do, click here to go to their website.
SDS - Overview of the Policy and Delivery Evidence Base
In April 2008, Scottish Government commissioned Moray House, University of Edinburgh to review a range of evaluation, policy and other relevant documents related to SDS policy and delivery activity. This was to provide a comprehensive picture of the current policy and delivery 'state of play' for SDS, to inform Scottish Government in its thinking about future SDS policy and delivery and to feed into the development of SDS's new business model. The review covered three areas of activity: Information, Advice and Guidance; Skills Interventions; and Employer Engagement.
The report can be accessed here.
Please refer any queries about the report to Margherita Rossi, 0141 242 0234 / Margherita.Rossi@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
SDS - National, Regional and Local Delivery
The National, Regional and Local Delivery (NRLD) project (spring 2008) was Scottish-Government led and delivered in partnership with SDS, drawing on inputs across the four SDS 'partner organisations' - Careers Scotland (CS), Scottish University for Industry (SUfI), Scottish Enterprise (SEn) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The project provided a solid baseline of information and an initial analysis of existing delivery arrangements across the component parts and the various types of activity brought together within SDS.
The report can be accessed here.
Please refer any queries about the report to Margherita Rossi, 0141 242 0234 / Margherita.Rossi@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.