Go Skills: Stevenson to speak at launch of sector skills agreement

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Friday, 08, Feb 2008 12:00

Transport Minister to welcome strategy for Scotland’s passenger transport sector

Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson will deliver a keynote speech next Tuesday Feb 12 at the launch of Routes to Progress, the Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) for Passenger Transport in Scotland. (The venue is the Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1 Festival Square, Edinburgh EH3 9SR. The event starts 1600hrs.)

The Minister is expected to welcome the recommendations contained in the document which has been produced, by GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport, in cooperation with the sector’s employers. The Agreement explains the skills issues affecting the sector in Scotland and sets out recommended actions, or routes, needed to tackle the sector’s skills needs and to enhance skills development.

The launch is one of a series taking place across the UK and is the culmination of a two year long process that has involved extensive research and consultation with employers, operators and stakeholders.

The event will showcase examples of the type of work that has already been done in Scotland to create solutions to skills issues. One will highlight the role technology can play in delivering training over a wide geographical area with the use of videoconferencing and internet based training resources.

GoSkills’ Chief Executive, Peter Huntington, said: “There are challenges in Scotland that are specific to the geographic conditions and the different education and funding structures. We have been mindful of these and tailored our actions to take account of them. This Agreement has drawn all the major industry players in the sector together with training providers, awarding bodies and other stakeholders. We believe that the launch of Routes to Progress marks the start of an important journey and signposts the way forward. The successful outcomes rely on all parties continuing to work together and carrying through the actions agreed as necessary. We look to all partners to continue to support this agenda and to work with us on our routes to progress.”

Ends

Press enquiries please contact:

Richard Tibenham – Communications Manager - 0121 635 5530, email: richard.tibenham@goskills.org

or Fraser Tennant – Communications Executive – 0121 635 5531, email: fraser.tennant@goskills.org

For further information visit www.goskills.org

Notes to Editors:

1. ‘Routes to Progress’ is the name of GoSkills’ Sector Skills Agreement for the Passenger Transport Sector in Scotland. It is an agreement between industry, training providers, awarding bodies and other stakeholders to tackle skills issues in a coordinated way. It is driven by employer’s needs and aspirations in relation to the skills of their workforce and sets out a plan of actions. Twelve priorities have been identified and agreed for Scotland. These include: recognition of a sector wide need for IT skills which is not being met by existing provision; and a strategy to create a funding system for self employed and sole traders who are currently not eligible for public funding for training. The full list of sector priorities can be viewed by going to the GoSkills website: www.goskills.org and accessing the Serving the Sector section.