Towards a More Employable Scotland. RSA Scotland Event in partnership with Careers Scotland.

Towards a More Employable Scotland

 
RSA Scotland, in partnership with Careers Scotland

Thursday 12 June 2008 at the Lighthouse, Glasgow

Chaired by Robert Porrer (Chair of RSA Scotland)

Skills at all levels are vital for Scotland’s economic performance; yet there are significant numbers of people not in work, training or education and there is evidence of under-employment amongst those in work.  This event aimed to look at how the public, voluntary and private sectors could work together most effectively in order to encourage individuals to gain the skills and motivation for work and the ability to respond to the changing needs of the workplace today and in the future.

Professor Alan McGregor (Director of the Training and Employment Research Unit and Professor of Economic Development at the University of Glasgow) set the context for the evening in his keynote speech. There then followed brief input from five Panel members:
+ Simon Thompson (Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland) on the views of employers
+ Danny Logue (Director, Careers Scotland (Scottish Lowland Area) on career development
+ Marie Burns (Director of Skills Interventions at Skills Development Scotland) on skills development
+ John Fyffe (Executive Director (Education & Children’s Services), Perth & Kinross Council) on education
+ Dr Laurence Gruer (Director of Public Health Sciences with NHS Scotland) on health and well-being.

The 61 delegates - representing a wide range of organisations - who attended then divided into five discussion groups which reviewed the current situation from different social, economic and learning perspectives in order to identify key issues, barriers to progress and the priorities for action.  Key points from the discussion groups are summarised in a paper subsequently produced by Professor Alan McGregor, available here.

The purpose of the event was to initiate an open and honest discussion of the issues and ways in which all those involved in meeting the needs of individuals and employers could work together effectively. The next stage is to focus on specific areas for action and it is expected that RSA Scotland and Careers Scotland will be running further events in support of this.

A copy of the event programme is available here.


Careers Scotland website for further information 

Download the, "Towards a more employable Scotland", Power Point Presentation