Independent Commission for Land-Based Learning - review and implementation plan: SG response - progress report
Progress of the actions in response to all the recommendations from the Review of Land-Based Learning in the 12 months since the Scottish Government response report was published.
Recommendation 8:
Support the retention of critical Higher Education (HE) provision in areas such as forestry and aquaculture by developing innovative ways to extend the reach of their delivery.
Output
A Scottish Government led skills planning approach will help develop a better understanding of skills needs at the national level and how we can better address them, particularly where solutions lie within the education and skills system.
This work will be critical in ensuring that the system is more responsive and in a better position to meet our economic, environmental and social needs and ambitions.
However, universities and colleges are responsible for their curriculum and course choices responding to local, regional, national and in some cases international economic need and learner demands.
Implementing Actions
Relevant Scottish Government policy areas to support and feed into the skills planning work led by the Scottish Government’s Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate.
Progress Update
In the 2025/26 Programme for Government we committed to introduce a new Scottish Government-led approach to national skills planning, and strengthen regional skills planning, to ensure that post school provision becomes more responsive to Scotland’s strategic skills needs and priorities.
We have established a SG Skills Planning Policy Unit, undertaken extensive engagement and evidence gathering on existing arrangements, and drafted a strategic case for skills planning reforms. Close collaboration is taking place with Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Funding Council on this reform project. Draft regional guidelines were discussed with Regional Economic Partners over October-Dececember 2024. Overall, we have identified a proposed direction of travel for a future skills planning model and are currently engaging with key stakeholders on this.
Timescales
Cross-government work and external engagement on skills planning is well under way and will inform the design of new skills planning approaches in 2025 - expected to be met.
Milestones
Guidelines for developing a strengthened approach to regional skills planning – September 2024 - in progress.
Options identified for future skills planning models in spring 2025 and announcement of chosen option in late 2025 - in progress.
Contact
Email: ruralpolicymailbox@gov.scot