Learning and skills

This week the Scottish Government published research commissioned to explore the challenges of accessing and providing consistent and affordable school age childcare (for ages 4 to 14) in rural and island areas of Scotland.

It builds on recent Scottish Government research and policy focused on childcare, employment and economic development.

Thousands of businesses can now apply for up to £15,000 to help retrain and upskill their workforce.

The Scottish Government’s Flexible Workforce Development Fund provides workers in organisations of all sizes with access to training courses through local colleges, the Open University in Scotland and Skills Development Scotland.

A commitment to ensure the long-term growth of Gaelic and Scots is at the heart of a new public consultation launched today.

The consultation seeks views on how to raise the profile of Scots, a new strategic approach to Gaelic medium education (GME) and the creation of a Gàidhealtachd, areas with a higher percentage of Gaelic speakers. It also covers the structure and function of Bòrd Na Gàidhlig – the principal public body promoting Gaelic in Scotland.

Are you interested in how local land is used? Would you like to engage in local land use discussions and pave the way for new ideas? 

The Helping it Happen Awards 2022, run by Scottish Land & Estates, have announced the finalists within five of their nine categories. Each of the categories focuses on an area in which rural businesses are positively impacting Scotland’s economy and environment.

The overall focus of the Helping it Happen Awards is on recognising the role estates, farms and rural businesses play in enabling and supporting success in rural communities, rural businesses and rural landscapes.

Rewilding charity Trees for Life has finished a landmark three-year skills development project to help 15 people from diverse backgrounds pursue a career in rewilding. 

With more than 1,000 people registering their interest to take part in the ‘Skills for Rewilding’ programme across its three-year run, the pioneering project has revealed a significant demand among Scots to find practical ways to help nature and the climate. 

The Scottish Rural Childminding Partnership (SRCP) pilot project, led by SCMA, is supporting the recruitment and training of more than 100 new professional childminders in rural and remote communities within ten areas of Scotland, which have been identified as having an urgent need for more high-quality, flexible childcare.