This report marks the third in a series of three reports looking at what a 21st century skills system should look like, in a comparative study across Northern Ireland and Scotland. PRIORITIES FOR THE SKILLS SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND Disruption will be significant over the coming years – the skills system needs to … Continue reading
A truly successful skills system could bring vast benefits to Northern Ireland and Scotland. Both are on the cusp of significant changes, as the impact of automation and technological change combines with an ageing population. This could carry significant dividends, driving productivity and boosting economic growth, and bringing new opportunities for individuals and employers. But … Continue reading
Population ageing will increase pressure on governments to balance expenditure on the older population with tax revenues. However, this demographic change can offer a range of opportunities to support longer and more fulfilling working lives for those older people who want or need to continue to work past retirement age. This qualitative study is the … Continue reading
The nature, experience, security and rewards from work have changed significantly in recent decades. Increasingly, large numbers of people experience work which is insecure and which is paid at levels which do not allow families to live above the poverty line. In Scotland, around half of working age adults experiencing poverty live in working households. Discussions … Continue reading
Online retailer Amazon has announced it is hiring 2700 seasonal staff in Scotland to meet customer demand in the lead up to Christmas. The announcement comes as the US internet giant revealed it will bring in a total of 15,000 new workers for the festive season. Amazon, which is expanding operations in this country, said … Continue reading
Scotland needs another 110,000 jobs to return to the levels enjoyed before the financial crisis five years ago, a think tank has warned Continue reading
About 70% of young people involved in an employment skills programme have moved into jobs or further education, according to the Scottish government. The Activity Agreement scheme sees vulnerable 16 to 19-year-olds sign up to activities and qualifications that could improve their job prospects. More than 2,600 young people from across all 32 council areas … Continue reading
A Scottish government taskforce has been set up to try to retain jobs at a collapsed coal-mining firm. Scottish Coal, which operated six open cast mines across Scotland, announced nearly 600 redundancies when it went into liquidation last week. Energy minister Fergus Ewing said the Scottish Open Cast Mining Taskforce would do everything it could … Continue reading
THOUSANDS of jobs are at risk after DVD rental firm Block-buster UK yesterday became the latest high street chain to go into administration. The company, which employs 4,190 staff, including more than 300 in Scotland, follows music retailer HMV, which called in administrators earlier this week. The Uxbridge-based business, which opened its first store in … Continue reading
Areva, one of Europe’s largest offshore wind energy players, confirmed today that it will locate its UK turbine manufacturing site in Scotland.The announcement, which was made this morning during the First Minister’s visit to Paris, could create 750 jobs in Scotland from manufacturing and the supporting supply chain.The company today signed a strategic agreement with … Continue reading
A STAGGERING 24,000 Scots families are living in extreme poverty, a report claims. A combination of factors including no qualifications, overcrowding, ill health and unemployment contribute to the grim statistic. Think tank Demos found Glasgow is the worst affected with more than one in 10 families (11 per cent) facing severe disadvantage – almost three … Continue reading
So, in principle, yesterday’s rise in Scottish unemployment should be explained by differential movements between Scotland and the UK in one or more of the following: GDP, productivity, and labour supply. Specifically, weaker GDP growth, faster productivity growth, and a faster growth in the supply of labour should, severally, or collectively, account for the relative … Continue reading
THE Prime Minister has promised to support manufacturing as he congratulated a Fife firm which is taking on 350 workers after winning two massive contracts. David Cameron visited Burntisland Fabrication (BiFab) just after bosses there announced new contracts worth £140 million involving the design, procurement and construction of major components for a new oil platform. … Continue reading
UNISON Scotland has called for direct Scottish Government intervention to stop over 100 jobs being cut at careers agency Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in the face of a mounting youth unemployment crisis. The union has reacted with shock and anger to the announcement of over 100 redundancies in the frontline Skills Development Scotland workforce. At … Continue reading
Budget airline Ryanair has announced plans to axe five routes from Scotland’s busiest airport. The airline said the cuts at Edinburgh Airport are expected to lead to 300 job losses and passenger traffic dropping by 15%, from 1.8 million to 1.5 million. Ryanair said on Tuesday it would reduce its operating aircraft at the hub … Continue reading