Chamber and committees

The Employer Services Team is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the member.

The employer services team is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to the member.

There was no specific “youth employment budget” in 2011-12. However, please see the following table which details the participants for programmes relating to youth employment broken down by age where possible:

Notes:

1. 9,628 Modern Apprentices were aged 25 and above – total for 2011-12: 26,427

2. 27 apprentices supported through Adopt an Apprentice were 25 and above – total for 2011-12: 375

3. Community Jobs Scotland supported 229 individuals aged 25 and above – total for 2011-12: 1843

4. Management information does not detail an age breakdown for this programme.

The Forth Replacement Crossing will be constructed to motorway standard and will not have pedestrian or cyclist facilities. The current Forth Road Bridge will be retained as a public transport corridor and will maintain the current provision for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Scottish Government has agreed with each local authority that they will report on progress against target on a bi monthly basis. Scottish Government officials liaise with the local authorities in question on a regular basis providing support and maintaining dialogue, ensuring prompt and accurate monitoring.

The Scottish Government has agreed with each local authority that a report on progress against target will be provided on a bi monthly basis. This will capture both qualitative and quantitative monitoring information to help assess the impact of this additional funding for young people.

The Scottish Government is monitoring progress against each local authority’s agreed outcomes and will produce a summary report detailing the impact across all six areas after the programme completion in September 2013.

The Scottish Government will outline the options for delivering world-class digital connectivity shortly. Our intention is to stimulate debate and test our ideas through widespread discussion and engagement throughout the early part of this year. This engagement is vital in order to refine our vision of a world class, digitally connected country and ensure that the benefits of this connectivity can be shared across the country. The planned dialogue will involve leading academic, business and public sector stakeholders and make full use of digital technology in capturing ideas and shaping our long term thinking.

This information is not held centrally. I will ask the chief executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you on this matter.

The work of the Commission is currently at an early planning stage with final recommendations due to be published in the second quarter of 2014. Subject to the approval of Parliament, the consideration of the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill is expected to be completed during the first half of 2013. The work of the Commission is therefore not expected to feed into the bill. However in terms of the vision the Commission will seek to develop, its work will build on this legislation which focusses on improved college governance and accountability as well as the coherence of provision.

Building on the platforms of Curriculum for Excellence, careers services modernisation, Post-16 education reform and Scotland’s successful Modern Apprenticeship programme, the remit of the Commission is to develop proposals designed to enhance Scotland’s vocational and further education system as it relates to young people; enable young people to make the best transition from the broad general education under Curriculum for Excellence into the system; and encourage greater employer commitment to youth employment and the development and delivery of the vocational and further education system.