“The needs and drivers for reform within the skills system have been widely articulated in recent years; both in the broader education landscape and in wider social and economic policy. There is an increasing focus on skills frameworks being used within and across education, employment and training contexts in Scotland, and this is echoed by multi-agency calls for the development of a new, universal skills framework…These considerations lead us to consider the potential of a single or universal framework which removes duplication, harmonises language and provides recognition of a broad range of skills.”

Skills Short-Life Working Group, chaired by Scottish Government, March 2026

We were delighted to be invited to respond to the Scottish Government-chaired Stakeholder Consultation on the proposed Skills Model for Scotland. This was conducted on behalf of the national Skills Short-Life Working Group; which includes representation from Qualifications Scotland, Education Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership.

The group is “developing proposals for a more unified approach to the way we define and
describe skills in Scotland to which those in the skills ecosystem may wish to align.”

What are the recommendations being proposed?

The Group is proposing “a new approach to skills in Scotland; a ‘universal’ Scottish Skills Model designed to support lifelong learning. This model aims to provide clear, consistent, and accessible language that resonates across the diverse sectors, skills, and standards frameworks that children, adults, learners, apprentices, and professionals engage with throughout their education and careers.

The draft model is still to be finalised, but a framework containing reference to ‘Personal’, ‘Core’, and ‘Specialist’ skills is being proposed.

Read our response to the initial draft of the Skills Model for Scotland

Why are these changes being proposed?

There are many skills taxonomies, policy drivers and frameworks in use across Scotland in our schools, colleges, workplaces and other settings where learning takes place. These reflect the needs, priorities, and passions across Scotland’s educational sectors. A new Scottish Skills Model would work with those already in existence; functioning as a high-level overlay to provide a more coherent, simple and unified way of mapping and communicating our skills.

The Group is developing proposals for a more unified approach to the way we define and describe skills in Scotland to which those in the skills ecosystem may wish to align.

Next steps

The partners in the Skills Short-Life Working Group will analyse the Stakeholder feedback, and we will share an update with you as soon as we can.