Responding to the needs of employers and the economy

As part of our commitment to ensuring that our education and skills system is meeting the needs of employers and the economy, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has today (10 July) published guidance for Scotland’s universities on a new £6m funding stream aimed at helping them to develop and offer short, flexible provision for employees to upskill and reskill, including provision of in-work learning.

The funding stream will support universities to build on already established relationships with employers, tapping into employer intelligence and using relevant curriculum content, to explore a range of models, including both existing and new material, which will meet the changing needs of Scotland’s economy.

Recognising that people seeking to change careers will have different needs and different levels of prior education, and different professions or sectors of the economy will have different requirements, we are encouraging the sector to work in partnership to develop a range of diverse delivery models, minimising duplication by geography, delivery method and curriculum area.

While universities are being encouraged to think creatively about how best to develop new models, the following broad parameters will apply:

1. New provision should be shorter in duration – usually significantly shorter – than a full academic year.
2. New provision should be flexible in terms of start date.
3. New provision should address a particular unmet skills need.

Launching the new funding stream, Director of Access, Skills and Outcome Agreements John Kemp said:

“The world of work and learning is changing and we need to be ready for it. We know that technology will change job roles, skills needs and the way we live our lives.

“This means supporting colleges and universities to work with businesses to expand their work-based learning and to create a more agile, dynamic and responsive skills and education system. With this new fund we will be supporting universities to build on the good work they are already doing to meet the needs of employers and employees to upskill and reskill.”