Scottish Labour pledges overhaul to Scotland’s ‘out-of-date’ skills system

Scottish Labour has pledged to overhaul Scotland’s “out-of-date” skills system by linking schools and workplaces together.

The party will set out plans to make sure every pupil has access to skills and careers advice, and prepare young people for modern industries and growing sectors.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “For too many young people, the promise of a good future is being held back by a skills system that is out of date and out of touch.

“Not content just to downgrade the exam results of working-class children, the SNP is now failing to prepare young people for the world of work.

“Analogue John and the SNP are out of ideas and it means young people are losing out on opportunity, employers are struggling to recruit and Scotland is paying the price.”

The party manifesto pledges a skills for schools programme linking every school with local workplaces, industry work placements and certified work experience for every secondary school pupil, and a digital skills passport to record the experience.

Scottish Labour would also introduce Scottish industry standards to connect school subjects to career pathways, and support colleges and universities to offer more skills-based modules and industrial placements.

Mr Sarwar continued: “I’m standing to fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.

“A Scottish Labour government I lead will make sure every young person gets proper skills and careers advice, meaningful work experience, stronger links to local employers and the digital skills they need for the modern economy.

“We will link schools and workplaces, help young people see a future for themselves here in Scotland, and make sure education opens doors instead of closing them.

“That is how we create opportunity for the next generation and deliver the skills system Scotland needs.

“On May 7, vote Scottish Labour on both votes for the change Scotland needs.”

Lloyd Melville, SNP candidate for Angus South, said: “Be it free university tuition, free bus travel, childcare support for every family or up to £10,000 for first-time buyers – the SNP is on the side of our young people.

“In sharp contrast, south of the border, young people are up to their necks in student debt, the Labour Party has betrayed them on their promise to equalise the minimum wage and free bus travel has been scrapped.

“It’s a very different story here in Scotland and that’s thanks to an SNP Government that values our young people and is proud that we have near record levels of school leavers going into work, training or education.

“It is however only through the fresh start with independence that we can rejoin the EU as an independent country and give young people the education, work and travel opportunities enjoyed by previous generations – only a vote for the SNP in May can secure that future.”