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Today’s
report shows that Scotland is performing very well in terms of skills and
learning.
Young people, particularly those not in education,
employment or training (NEET), need to have a range of choices and
opportunities
available to them.
 The
quality of Scotland’s education and skills stands comparison with the best
in the world according to a report published today.
The latest annual update to the Scottish Executive’s Lifelong Learning
Strategy shows that Scotland continues to justify its reputation as a global
centre of learning.
Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said:
“Today’s report shows that Scotland is performing very well in terms of
skills and learning.
“Our well-qualified workforce is right up there with the top OECD nations.
We have high levels of participation in all types of learning and our school
attainment levels are rising.
“With more than 50 per cent of people qualified to Further Education level
or above, Scotland is on a par with the USA and ahead of countries like New
Zealand, Finland and Ireland.
“Learning has never been more important in our society and our lifelong
learning policies are vital to Scotland’s economic future.
“Continuing high levels of investment in education and lifelong learning are
central to Scotland’s future success.”
Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Allan Wilson added:
“It is clear that Scotland’s performance as a learning nation continues to
improve.
“Young people, particularly those not in education, employment or training
(NEET), need to have a range of choices and opportunities available to them.
“With Modern Apprenticeships, targeted business support, Individual Learning
Accounts, and offering “More Choices, More Chances” we are helping to reduce
the number of young people who are ‘NEET’.
“While much has been achieved, we also still have challenges to face. We
need to make sure that everyone can benefit from learning, no matter what
their age or background.
“Growing the Scottish economy is the top priority for this Executive and we
must maximise the contribution which skills and learning can make to this
goal.
“We will continue to work in close partnership with all of our stakeholders,
whose hard work and enterprise have been vital to achieving the levels of
success that we have had to date.”
NOTES:
1. “Life through Learning; Learning through Life” is the Scottish
Executive’s our five year lifelong learning strategy for Scotland and was
published in February 2003. Each year we publish an update on our strategic
progress and this document is the latest in that series. The latest update
can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications.
2. On November 13 we launched a consultation on issues related to lifelong
learning- “Lifelong Learning – Building on Success”, which should be read in
conjunction with this document. It can be found online at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/06141044/0
Contact: Stuart Lewis: 0131 244 2682
Internet:
www.scotland.gov.uk
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