A PLAN to close the productivity gap in Scotland has been set out, including support to help Scottish firms go global.
The Enterprise and Skills Board’s 20-year strategic plan outlines 14 actions for the country’s five enterprise and skills agencies and 18 recommendations for the Scottish Government.
The blueprint aims to move Scotland from its current place in the bottom half of the OECD productivity rankings to the top 10.
READ MORE: Retail sales in Scotland fall amid economic pressures
Actions include helping companies sell goods through a national exporting service, programmes to assist mid-size firms to expand and internationalise, and a focus on improving leadership and management skills.
Further recommendations include providing high-quality independent careers advice to people from primary school throughout their working lives and placing a stronger emphasis on work-based learning – including a recommendation to government to redesign and expand schemes, such as the Individual Training Account.
The plan also recommends improvements to digital literacy and stresses the need to develop increased resilience in the face of Brexit, automation and technological advances.
Board chairwoman Nora Senior, said: “Among the 36 OECD members, Scotland currently sits mid-table for productivity.
“Closing this gap would mean more money for individuals to spend, improved business competitiveness and profits, and would deliver higher tax revenues to help fund better public services – it is a prize worth winning.
She added: “Shifting the dial on productivity and inclusive growth will require everybody stepping forward to play their part. Business, skills providers and learners must also engage to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the interventions delivered by the agencies.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel