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Opening the skills gateway
29/05/2008
Plans to develop a new skills development gateway for the financial services industry in Scotland were announced by the Government today.
An employer-led group - CBI Scotland, Scottish Financial Enterprise and the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland - is developing a detailed business plan with the objective of ensuring Scotland's reputation as a global centre of excellence for financial services underpinned by a sustainable, world class, talented and skilled workforce.
First Minister Alex Salmond has invited David Thorburn, Chief Operating officer of the Clydesdale Bank and Chairman of CBI Scotland, to lead the group.
The proposed role of the gateway is to:
- Articulate clearly the industry's skills requirements, providing a statement of demand that the means of supply can be designed to match
- Improve the understanding of the career pathways available in financial services
- Increase the flow of school-leavers, graduates and adult returners into the sector
- Develop workforce capability at all levels from new recruits to senior management
- Facilitate collaboration between all stakeholders involved in education, training and skills development for the Scottish banking and financial services industry
Mr Salmond said:
"The Scottish Government's lifelong skills strategy focuses on making Scotland's skills base truly world class.
"The intention to develop a Financial Services Skills Gateway for Scotland chimes well with our overarching purpose as a government - to increase sustainable economic growth. In order to grow Scotland's economy, we need to a skilled workforce as well as the growth of key sectors such as Scotland's financial services industry.
"Scotland's colleges and universities will be fully engaged during this development process. And the Scottish Government will be working with the industry as they take forward this work.
"David Thorburn, Chief Operating officer of the Clydesdale Bank, will lead this group in a personal capacity. More details on the group's remit and role will be announced shortly and I look forward to seeing the details of the gateway proposal once they have been finalised."
Mr Thorburn said:
"We have an opportunity to forge a significant advantage for Scotland by being better than anywhere else at inspiring and developing a pool of world-class, talented and skilled people for financial services employers in Scotland.
"A new skills gateway could benefit everyone from school-leavers to postgraduates and adult returners to work, as well as make sure that the training that was available at every stage in someone's career was matched to the industry's needs. I look forward to working with the industry, government and all stakeholders to develop a detailed proposal."
Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of The Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, said:
"To enhance its competitive position Scotland's banking and financial services industry needs to continue to attract, develop and retain a skilled workforce. The industry offers a wide range of career opportunities to young people, but we can do more to ensure all young people are equipped with the skills and attitudes needed to take advantage of these.
"The Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland is delighted, therefore, to support plans to develop a financial services gateway for Scotland and looks forward to working with the Scottish Government, employers, unions, SFE, the FSSC and others to put these plans into action."
Owen Kelly, Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, said:
"It is very important the financial services industry articulates its future needs for skills and training as clearly as possible.
"This proposal offers a real opportunity to make that happen and we look forward to working with industry, government and education providers to achieve that."