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Welcome to this fourth edition of Futureskills Scotland e-news. Included in this issue are our Sector Profiles and our latest Expert Briefings. We also tell you about our upcoming move to the Scottish Government and the improvements we've made to our web-based research resource, Research Online. |
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International Comparisons of Scotland's Labour Market Performance |
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The Work Readiness of Scottish
College and University Leavers |
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'Work Skills in Scotland' (the views of Scottish workers) |
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Trade Union Representation and Skills Investment |
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Scottish Enterprise
150 Broomielaw
Atlantic Quay
Glasgow
G2 8LU
T: 0141 228 2441
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Cowan House
Inverness Retail and Business Park
Inverness
IV2 7GF |
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In this issue |
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Latest research |
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Launch of Scottish sector profiles
 Futureskills Scotland has published 24 Scottish sector profiles covering retail, science, engineering, manufacturing industries and financial services. Profiles include key issues such as industry structure, recruitment, skill shortages and training. The information is based on data from official sources and Futureskills' Employer Skills Survey. Profiles were produced jointly with the Sector Skills Councils as part of Futureskills' concordat with the Skills for Business Network (SfBN). A profile has already been developed for the small business sector and work is under way to develop one for the voluntary side.
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New Research Series
 The launch of Futureskills Scotland's new Research Series offers critical analysis of key labour market issues for Scotland and the UK. Experts from across the UK have contributed to the Series, which kicks off with the publication, 'The Labour Market Effects of Qualification' (see story below). Forthcoming research will include: 'The Work Readiness of Scottish College and University Leavers'; 'Work Skills in Scotland' (the views of Scottish workers); and 'Trade Union Representation and Skills Investment'.
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Other news |
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Qualifications can increase employability
 Having qualifications boosts your chances of having a job and earning more money. These were some of the findings from the first commissioned work in Futureskills Scotland's Research Series, 'The Labour Market Effects of Qualifications'. Access the summary and technical reports produced by Professor Ian Walker and Dr Yu Zhu, who undertook the work, for free on the Futureskills Scotland website.
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Free downloads |
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Download the latest expert views
A further two Expert Briefings papers have been published by Futureskills Scotland. The first, 'How Smart are Scottish Jobs?' by Professor Alan Felstead of Cardiff University, highlights Scottish workers' views on qualifications, skills and training relating to their jobs. The second, 'Key Future Labour Market and Skills Issues in Scotland (And Beyond)', draws on the experience of Cardiff University and SKOPE's Professor Ewart Keep. He identifies major obstacles with policy formulation and research in the skills area. These Expert Briefings add to the series, which has included papers from Michael Davis of the Centre for Enterprise on 'Skills in Context', and Professor David Ashton 'challenging myths in skills and training'. To download the latest and all other Expert Briefings for free, visit our
website.
Futureskills Scotland is seeking suggestions for topics and speakers for its Expert Briefings. These seek to provoke and stimulate policy debate by bringing together invited policy makers and leading labour market experts, leading to publication of a briefing paper. Email us with your suggestions.
Research Online is even better
Free access to labour market information has been improved following an update to Research Online.
A revision of the site's appearance and functionality has delivered an improved search function, email updates on the latest reports and a reading list function. This allows users to keep a list of documents they're interested in which can be saved, printed or emailed.
Recent highlights include:
� The impact of early cognitive and non-cognitive skills on later outcomes
� Unemployment: stage or stigma? Being unemployed during an economic boom
� Sustainable employment: supporting people to stay in work and advance - report by the Comptroller and Auditor General
Sample the changes for yourself at www.researchonline.org.uk
Futureskills to join Scottish Government
 All five staff from Futureskills Scotland are moving from Scottish Enterprise to the Scottish Government.
The move was announced by Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney MSP, who acknowledged the team's role in influencing and monitoring labour market strategy and policy. For example, Futureskills Scotland's research informed the Scottish Government's new skills strategy, 'Skills for Scotland' (click on this link to find out more).
The move is expected by 1 April 2008.
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