University of Dundee Strategic Advisory Taskforce workshops: skills

The University of Dundee Strategic Advisory Taskforce held a series of workshops in June and July 2025. These covered a range of subjects agreed with the University of Dundee (UoD), and the purpose was to provide more focused and detailed discussion on issues relevant to the University’s recovery planning. Minutes from the workshop on regional and national skills base are below.

You can read minutes from the other workshops at: University of Dundee Strategic Advisory Taskforce

Attendees and apologies

• Professor Nick Brewer, University of Dundee
• Graeme Hutton, University of Dundee
• Linda Martindale, University of Dundee
• Maria Pollard, NHS
• Gillian Nevin, NHS
• Helen Raftopolous, Scottish Funding Council
• Emma Preston, Unison
• Simon Hewitt, Dundee & Angus College
• Alison Henderson, Chamber of Commerce
• Andrew Sturrock, NHS
• Andrea Cameron, University of Abertay
• Ester Ruskuc, University of St Andrews
• Ronnie Palin, Skills Development Scotland
• Erica Russell-Rensens, Scottish Funding Council
• Sharon Drysdale, Scottish Funding Council
• Colin Cook, Scottish Government
• Peter Hope-Jones, Scottish Government
• Lisa Buchan, Scottish Government
• Craig Mcmillan, Scottish Government

Items and actions

Presentation

Professor Nick Brewer, University of Dundee Assistant Vice-Principal (Education), co-chaired the workshop and gave an opening presentation setting out the university’s approach to skills and priorities in the current context. He highlighted opportunities around graduate apprenticeships, employability in the local region, and specific topics including green energy, AI and cyber security.

Discussion

Key themes emerging from discussions included:

• need for further conversations with regional unis and college of joint work around any potential impact of the current VSS scheme on particular courses/faculties at Dundee
• the value and impact of creative industries offerings at Dundee and overlap/links with business and entrepreneurship, as well as health
• the significant work around health offerings including nursing and dentistry, and strong collaboration with NES
• need for further discussions around work experience and apprenticeships opportunities – Dundee can learn from other unis on this, work with partners to remove barriers, help SDS and business partners to help promote opportunities
• the balance between identifying and highlighting strengths and things that must not be lost vs the slightly harder conversation about whether there are areas where Dundee’s offering is less strong/unique/revenue-generating and agreement that this is something Dundee needs to consider carefully with appropriate input, and there could be a further more private conversation about this
• working with agencies and industry to support entrepreneurship

Wider discussion points:

Skills

• fundamental aspect is to be clear on the definition of ‘skills’
• The Skills Advisory Board for Tay Cities Region developing a Regional Skills Action Plan which includes review of skills demand and supply
• gaps e.g. engineering and digital
• core skills of literacy, numeracy, working with others, IT
• skills policy is a devolved issue
• embedding skills into curriculum
• partnerships with industry – understanding the skills and needs profile needed
• crisis in the Engineering sector
• seems to be a mismatch in industry needs and provision leading to companies retraining new employees

Apprenticeships

• Graduate Apprenticeships – benefits and challenges
• collaboration could increase reach

Work experience

• there are issues but plays a vital part
• embedding into curriculum
• availability of placement
• collaboration required between institutions
• potential in Third Sector
• shared example of providing real work projects and internal placements for students
• talent retention issues that could be positively impacted by work experienc

Challenges

• what is at risk of loss?
• funding models creating barriers (e.g. for part time courses).
• restructuring model being considered is concerning for staff and the future of UoD
• recognition of competition between institutions
• SCQF alignment with rUK (impact on degree length)
• impact of VSS on curriculum offering
• shifting landscape and its impact
• immediate priority – delivery in September
• student recruitment numbers and availability of data
• potential impact of Gillies report
• impact of Russell Group accepting applications with lower entry requirements
• risks and benefits of internationalisation
• balance of recruitment, reputation, and income generation
• maximising strengths and carefully considering future of areas of weakness

Possible opportunities through:

• green energy
• Port of Dundee
• Tay Cities
• AI
• work-related learning to increase experience
• working with local schools to share teaching and learning
• improve student experience and build resilience
• vital importance of the Creative Industries to the region

Entrepreneurship and innovation

• examples of models in use in NI and across UK – HE and FE working together to access funds
• recognition of AI and the need for a strategic approach
• opportunities in health provision innovation
• UKG Creative Industries Sector Plan – agenda for growth

Collaboration

• importance of collaboration
• examples of joint degrees (West Coast example)
• regional approach to collaboration
• national demand for NHS – strategic approach wider than region
• cross-over between health and creative industries – innovation opportunities
• opportunities for dual degrees internationally

Timelines

• importance of being clear on immediate, medium- and long-term timelines
• useful to understand the unique contribution UoD makes that can be amplified – what should be strengthened

Actions

• SFC to work with D&A College and UoD to consider pilot for identified GA framework
• institutions to consider how they may be able to mobilise quickly to support gaps in delivery as impact of VSS
• UoD to robustly look at the balance of recruitment, reputation and, and income generation
• UoD to clearly define ‘skills’ in alignment with wider sector

Potential recommendations

• work collaboratively with SDS, D&A College, Abertay, Chamber of Commerce, and DYW to consider strategic approaches to provision of work experience
• consider strengthening articulation routes through colleges including Fife and Perth UHI
• work with the agencies and industry to support entrepreneurship
• explore models of access and use of innovation funds
• explore possibility of joint degree programs
• consider accelerated route e.g. Masters in 4 years. Abertay to share practice