Bringing employers together to shape qualifications reform

More than 40 employers from across Scotland came together this week to help shape the future of Scotland's curriculum and qualifications.

Qualifications Scotland and Education Scotland have launched a new Employer Insight Group, ensuring the country's curriculum and qualifications keep up with the changing demands of the workforce.

The group's first session took place on Wednesday 30 September in Glasgow, with representatives from a variety of industries, including financial services, construction, retail, and the public sector.

Employers heard from Graeme Wallace, Interim Head of Curriculum Innovation at Education Scotland, on the development of Scotland's curriculum, and from Donna Stewart, Chief Qualifications and Examinations Officer at Qualifications Scotland, on the reform of vocational and technical qualifications and National Courses.

Attendees then took part in three workshop sessions. The first, ‘Building Scotland's Curriculum’, looked at Education Scotland's ten-year Curriculum Improvement Cycle, where more than 1,500 educators are helping design an updated curriculum to be adopted by August 2028.

The second, on Skills, looked at how learners can better recognise and articulate their skills, and how this will improve routes to employment. Employers also shared their views on the skills they want to see, and how these could be developed and evidenced through the curriculum and qualifications.

The third, ‘Review of Qualifications Types’, hosted by Qualifications Scotland, gave employers the opportunity to discuss the vocational and technical qualifications they are most familiar with, including what they value about them, where they present challenges, and which competencies they believe will be critical for the next generation of employees.

Rachael Cassidy, Impact Manager at Built Environment-Smarter Transformation (Scotland's national innovation centre for construction and the built environment), attended the event. She said:

“It's great to see this level of emphasis being placed on skills within curriculum improvement and qualifications development. Getting this right will make a real difference, not just for our industry, but for trades and employers across all sectors who rely on young people leaving education with the practical skills they need."

The event marks the start of an ongoing relationship between Qualifications Scotland, Education Scotland, and employers, who will take part in further sessions in the coming months.

Donna Stewart, Chief Qualifications and Examinations Officer at Qualifications Scotland, said:

“Employers have a vital role to play in helping us design qualifications that truly prepare young people for the world of work. The insights shared on the skills, competencies and progression pathways that matter most to businesses, will directly inform our ongoing reform of vocational and technical qualifications, and National Courses.

“This is a long-term programme, and we're committed to engaging with employers, educators, learners, and parents and carers throughout, to make sure our qualifications continue to meet the needs of learners, centres, employers and wider society, now and in the future.”

The first phase of this work, running from 2026 to 2028, focuses on reviewing and co-designing qualification types with all audiences. Find out more about qualifications reform.