Important update regarding the Alliance Scotland

16 February 2012

As of 1 April 2012, Sector Skills Councils will move from grant-in-aid funding from the UK Government to project funding, which they will bid for on a project-by-project basis. As such, while the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils' role will still be to position and promote SSCs, due to Scottish Government funding cuts the Alliance will no longer have a Scotland-specific function.

This means there will no longer be a dedicated Alliance operation in Scotland; this will be replaced with a small core team based in London which will continue to focus on positioning SSCs throughout the UK.

Scotland's Workforce Better Prepared But Skills Challenges Still Lie Ahead According to New Reports

17 November 2011

It is an improving picture, but while overall the level of skills gaps in Scotland's workforce are falling, key sectors of the Scottish economy still experience significant skills gaps, with a fifth of employers in some areas reporting a skills gap in their workforce.

These are the findings according to a report launched today by the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland (Alliance Scotland), the body responsible for acting as the voice of employers in the skills system. A skills gap occurs when employers find that an employee lacks the necessary skills to carry out their role with full proficiency.

Glasgow working to ensure Games leave jobs legacy

15 November 2011

Jacqui Hepburn, Director of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland (Alliance Scotland), comments on Glasgow working to ensure Commonwealth Games leave jobs legacy:

"Many will have recently read of proposals by Glasgow City Council to create 1,000 jobs for graduates through its £10 million Commonwealth Graduate Fund. This recognises the challenges graduates are facing in securing jobs, and will serve to retain their talents within Scotland.

"The scheme, which will form part of the legacy left to Glasgow by the Games, opened yesterday and as an organisation committed to the delivery of a skilled workforce is, of course, one we warmly welcome."

Continued Commitment to Apprenticeships

25 October 2011

Jacqui Hepburn, Director of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland (Alliance Scotland), comments on the Scottish Government's continued commitment to apprenticeships:

"The continued commitment by the current Scottish Government to apprenticeships and the delivery of a skilled workforce is to be greatly welcomed.

"At its recent conference in Inverness the SNP recognised the skills shortages in the energy sector, with a commitment to deliver 2,000 Modern Apprenticeships specifically for this sector as well as an additional 1,000 flexible training places for energy and low carbon industries."

Facing the Facts on Careers

22 September 2011

The organisation responsible for representing the voice of employers in the skill system has launched a series of fact sheets with key careers information for those looking to embark on employment in areas ranging from construction to retail and the creative arts to textiles.

The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland (Alliance Scotland) jointly with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), and with the support of skills agency Skills Development Scotland, has produced the short easy-to-use publications to give snappy information on the jobs available within various sectors; what skills and strengths are required, as well as case studies of those employed in the area and how they got into it.

Alliance Scotland welcomes Post-16 Education Reform

16 September 2011

Commenting on Scottish Government proposals for reform of post-16 education, announced by Education Secretary Michael Russell, Jacqui Hepburn, Director of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland (Alliance Scotland), which acts as the voice of employers in the skills system, welcomed the initiative saying:

"These Scottish Government proposals, ensuring post-16 vocational education and training can support people into work and help sustain them in productive employment, are to be welcomed."