Scottish Labour Party Debate: Scotland's Skills System

Daniel Johnson S6M-19756 That the Parliament believes that Scotland’s skills system is letting down young people and holding back economic growth, and further believes that there needs to be a new partnership between education and industry, with better careers advice in schools central to it, and new Scottish industrial pathways to link school subjects to future careers, guaranteed industrial placements for secondary school pupils including in industry and a clearing system for apprenticeships, so that good candidates do not fall out of the system. Further details available for S6M-19756 Ben Macpherson S6M-19756.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-19756 in the name of Daniel Johnson (Scotland's Skills System), leave out from first “believes” to end and insert “agrees that there needs to be greater partnership between education and industry, with better careers advice in schools central to it, and clear and coherent Scottish pathways to link school and college courses to future careers, improved placements for secondary school pupils, and better information on career choices, job prospects and earnings, alongside an ongoing commitment to apprenticeships; acknowledges the significant progress made over the years to deliver a record number of apprentices in training at the end of 2024-25; notes that, despite the impact of Brexit and a failing UK economic model, resulting in workforce challenges and barriers to trade, Scotland is the best performing part of the UK for inward investment outside of London, has a lower unemployment rate than the UK, and has near record positive destinations, and agrees that independence offers the best opportunity for Scotland’s economy to grow and create wealth and prosperity for all.” Further details available for S6M-19756.2 Murdo Fraser S6M-19756.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-19756 in the name of Daniel Johnson (Scotland's Skills System), leave out from “, with better” to end and insert “; believes that this must be underpinned by a demand-led skills system that equips young people with the qualifications that employers need to grow Scotland’s economy; notes that the Scottish National Party administration has failed to pass on over £170 million of Apprenticeship Levy funding and has provided around 10,000 fewer apprenticeship places than learning providers requested, contributing to a widening skills gap in key sectors including hospitality, construction, engineering and care; further notes that colleges have faced a 20% real-terms funding cut, leading to job losses, falling student numbers and financial instability, and calls for urgent reform to invest in colleges, fix Scotland’s broken apprenticeship system, address skills shortages and allow local employers to shape training that matches their workforce needs.” Further details available for S6M-19756.1