Informed Scotland May 2018 – Learner journeys, skills shortages & equality

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Once again May has been a hotbed of must-read reports on a range of learning & skills topics.

The most significant item was the final report of the Scottish Government’s 15–24 Learner Journey Review. It is aiming to achieve a more balanced, coherent approach to education and learning that offers better advice and guidance, more work-based learning, and shorter post-15 learner journeys. We’ve included details of all 17 recommendations in an Annex for ease of reference.

A cluster of reports highlight current and expected skills shortages in a range of sectors, with some similar approaches suggested for filling the gaps – including raising their profile with young people. There’s a new Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Life and Chemical Sciences from Skills Development Scotland; an OPITO and Robert Gordon University report on the skills of tomorrow in the oil & gas industry; A Future Strategy for Agriculture from the Scottish Government; a Skills Review for the Aquaculture Sector from Highlands & Islands Enterprise; and a National Centre for Universities & Business report calling for a national campaign on digital health & care skills.

There are thought-provoking reports on future skills needs: Skills 4.0: A skills model to drive Scotland’s future by SDS and the Centre for Work-based Learning considers the implications of the fourth industrial revolution. Two papers on Future Teaching trends by researchers at Moray House School of Education look at the likely impact of automation and global societal shifts on education and teaching. And PASCAL International Observatory makes the case for Building entrepreneurship in sustainable learning cities.

Equality, diversity and inclusivity was another hot topic. In particular the second annual Report on Widening Access by the Scottish Funding Council, the first Equality Challenge Unit report on staff equality in Scotland’s colleges, and Glasgow City Council’s research into Ethnic Diversity in the Teaching Profession shared by Tes Scotland. They all indicate that progress towards equality is slow…

It’s six years since the first edition of Informed Scotland was published in May 2012! We’re celebrating with the first of a few new covers – many thanks to Janey Boyd at Mamook Graphics for continuing her great design work for us.

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