Latest news with #ModernApprenticeship
The Herald Scotland
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
We're heading for a two-tier system of electrical workers
Skills England, a government agency of the UK's Department for Education, confirmed the funding rise earlier this month to The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), which delivers skills projects and careers information for the electrotechnical industry. TESP said: 'Skills England has advised us that the Secretary of State has accepted its funding recommendation of £23,000 for the Installation & Maintenance Electrician apprenticeship. This represents an increase of £3,000 on the current funding band.' In Scotland funding for apprenticeships has stalled for over seven years and has actually reduced by more than 30 per cent in real terms due to inflation. In Scotland, electrical apprenticeships are offered through Skills Development Scotland's Modern Apprenticeship programmes, which provide paid, on-the-job training programmes that combine work with industry-recognised qualifications. There is a clear danger of a two-tier system, with Scottish industry losing out to England's, as well as a very real risk that we will lose a generation of skilled electrical talent when we can least afford it. The upshot is we cannot begin to have a renewables future in Scotland without electricians, so the Scottish Government must find the cash. To exacerbate this situation, we believe the UK Government's tough new proposals on immigration raise the possibility that Scotland will be increasingly at risk of skilled contractors heading south to replace foreign workers. We believe the proposals to raise the qualification standards for foreign workers could see a significant number abandoning the UK and returning home, with Scottish construction workers flooding south to fill the resulting shortage south of the Border. Raising the thresholds for skilled workers may seem on the face of it to be a laudable aim, but it is likely to be detrimental to recruitment in the major UK population areas and that means workers will be sucked in from Scotland and elsewhere. In areas such as London, it is estimated that 50 per cent of the workforce is from abroad, so if they leave, Scottish workers are likely to flood south to take up highly-paid jobs, leaving the domestic construction sector in crisis. This could leave Scotland bereft of skills, with no opportunity to top up from abroad, and could lead to the worst of all possible worlds just as we need these skills to fulfil our transition to a net zero economy. Construction is a vital pillar of the Scottish economy, supporting infrastructure development, housing delivery and the green transition, yet it is experiencing a persistent and growing skills shortage already. This ticking time bomb could leave Scotland without enough skilled workers to build the country we need. And while there may be little we can do about immigration, Scotland absolutely must not be left behind when it comes to apprenticeship funding. Alan Wilson is Managing Director of SELECT, Scotland's largest construction trade association.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FACT CHECK: Are politicians' claims about Scottish education data really true?
Today in the Scottish Parliament, education secretary Jenny Gilruth clashed with Scottish Labour education spokesperson over the state of Scottish schooling and the opportunities available to young people. Both made a number of specific claims as they 'traded statistics' and sought to defend their respective positions – but were their assertions true or false? Pam Duncan-Glancy said that 'attainment in schools is declining' and that 'the attainment gap is widening.' She then went on to give a number of specific examples to back up her claim. '…overall positive destinations are down…' True. The percentage of pupils in an initial positive destination for 2023/24 was 95.7%, down from 95.9% the previous year, confirming a decline of 0.2 percentage points. '…more pupils left school with no qualifications than ever before…' False. The number leaving with no qualifications at or above SCQF level 3 has been increasing and is now higher than almost every other year, but is still lower than the figures from 2009/10. In 2023/24 a total of 2.4% left school with no qualifications at level 3 or higher, which is up from 2.2% in both 2022/23 and in the final pre-pandemic year of 2018/19. In 2009/10 the figure was 2.8 percent. '…fewer pupils left with one pass or more at SCQF levels 5 and 6…' True. The percentage who left school last year with at least one level 5 qualification was 83.5%, which was a decline from the 84.8% recorded the previous year. The number achieving at least one level 6 qualification (which includes Highers) fell from 57.9% to 57.4%. Both figures are now at their lowest level since 2012/13. '…and the gap in attaining a pass or more at those levels is up…' True. In terms of those leaving with at least one level 5 qualification, the gap between the most affluent and most deprived pupils is now 22.7 percentage points, which is higher than at any point in the last decade. For level 6 qualifications the gap is 38.4 percentage points, which is the highest it has been since 2015/16. '…Modern Apprenticeship starts are down…' True. Between April 2023 and March 2024 a total of 25,507 Modern Apprenticeships were commended. In the previous year, the number recorded was 25,365. '…youth unemployment is up…' True. School leaver data shows that 4% were unemployed after three months, which is an increase of 0.2 percentage points on the previous year. Labour market statistics covering October 2022 to September 2023 also show that unemployment for those aged 16-24 increased by 0.7 percentage points compared to the previous year. In response to these claims, Jenny Gilruth pushed back and argued that the situation with attainment and opportunity in Scottish education is much more positive. '…the proportion of pupils achieving the expected level in literacy and numeracy across primary and secondary schools reached its highest level ever in 2023/24…' Partly true. The figures that Jenny Gilruth talks about have never been higher, but some are equal to the levels recorded in previous years. In primary schools, 74 percent of pupils met the expected standard in literacy, and this is indeed the highest level ever recorded. In numeracy, 80 percent of primary pupils reach the expected standard, which is the joint-highest level recorded alongside the figure for last year – although if we stop rounding to whole numbers, the data does show a small increase in the most recent year. In secondary school, 88 percent of S3 pupils meet the expected standard in literacy, which is the same as the level from the previous year, and just one percentage point higher than the levels recorded for 2016/17. If we look specifically at Reading levels (which are one of three components of literacy scores) we actually see that there has been a decline since 2018/19. For numeracy, the number achieving the expected level is 90 percent, which is equal to the figure for 2018/19 and higher than other years. It is important to note that the government changed the way it records this information when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister, so when Jenny Gilruth refers to the 'highest ever' levels she is discussing data that only goes back to 2016/17. '…the poverty-related attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas meeting standards in literacy has also reached record levels…' True. (It is reasonable to assume that Jenny Gilruth meant 'record lows') For primary literacy the gap is 20.2 percentage points, just beating the previous low of 20.5 percentage points; amongst secondary pupils, the literacy gap is 12.7 percentage points, which is just over half a percentage point lower than the previous record of 13.3 points. '…the gap in relation to our secondary pupils achieving third level in terms of literacy and numeracy has reached record lows too…' True. The attainment gap for secondary school literacy is 12 percentage points, while the previous low was 13.5 percentage points in 2017/18. '…the percentage of those in a positive destination three months after leaving schools is 95.7% - that's the second highest since records began…' Partly true. The percentage in a positive destination was 0.2 percentage points higher last year, but otherwise the 95.7 percent recorded for 2023/24 is higher than all previous years with the exception of 2021/22, when the figure was also 95.7 percent. '…the ACEL data tells us a much more positive story…' True. This refers to Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (ACEL), and is the source of the claims about literacy and numeracy levels in primary and secondary schools. This measurement system was introduced by the Scottish Government after Nicola Sturgeon promised to close the attainment gap and asked to be judged on her record for doing so. As part of these changes, the government scrapped the objective, national data that was previously generated by the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy and introduced a system that is much more subjective, far less precise, and much more open to manipulation. ACEL data does tell a much more positive story, but many would argue that this is because it was designed to do that very job. '…when we look for example at examinations data as well we are seeing a trajectory post-pandemic of improvement…' False. The pass rate for Highers has declined in each of the past three years and in 2024 stood at 74.9 percent. This is 0.1 percentage points up on the figure from 2019, but is significantly lower than the rates recorded in the rest of the pre-pandemic period (2016, 2017, and 2018). The overall Higher attainment gap is now larger than at any point since the new qualifications were introduced nearly a decade ago. At National 5, the overall pass rate is the lowest ever recorded and the attainment gap is higher than it has ever been. The same is true for Advanced Higher. In terms of overall examinations data, things have been getting worse in the post-pandemic period, not better. Data sources: School leaver data (positive destinations and leaver attainment of qualifications) Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (Literacy and numeracy) Modern Apprenticeships statistics Youth unemployment labour market data Examinations data
The Herald Scotland
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
FACT CHECK: Is Scottish education getting better or worse?
Pam Duncan-Glancy said that 'attainment in schools is declining' and that 'the attainment gap is widening.' She then went on to give a number of specific examples to back up her claim. '…overall positive destinations are down…' True. The percentage of pupils in an initial positive destination for 2023/24 was 95.7%, down from 95.9% the previous year, confirming a decline of 0.2 percentage points. '…more pupils left school with no qualifications than ever before…' False. The number leaving with no qualifications at or above SCQF level 3 has been increasing and is now higher than almost every other year, but is still lower than the figures from 2009/10. In 2023/24 a total of 2.4% left school with no qualifications at level 3 or higher, which is up from 2.2% in both 2022/23 and in the final pre-pandemic year of 2018/19. In 2009/10 the figure was 2.8 percent. '…fewer pupils left with one pass or more at SCQF levels 5 and 6…' True. The percentage who left school last year with at least one level 5 qualification was 83.5%, which was a decline from the 84.8% recorded the previous year. The number achieving at least one level 6 qualification (which includes Highers) fell from 57.9% to 57.4%. Both figures are now at their lowest level since 2012/13. '…and the gap in attaining a pass or more at those levels is up…' True. In terms of those leaving with at least one level 5 qualification, the gap between the most affluent and most deprived pupils is now 22.7 percentage points, which is higher than at any point in the last decade. For level 6 qualifications the gap is 38.4 percentage points, which is the highest it has been since 2015/16. '…Modern Apprenticeship starts are down…' True. Between April 2023 and March 2024 a total of 25,507 Modern Apprenticeships were commended. In the previous year, the number recorded was 25,365. '…youth unemployment is up…' True. School leaver data shows that 4% were unemployed after three months, which is an increase of 0.2 percentage points on the previous year. Labour market statistics covering October 2022 to September 2023 also show that unemployment for those aged 16-24 increased by 0.7 percentage points compared to the previous year. In response to these claims, Jenny Gilruth pushed back and argued that the situation with attainment and opportunity in Scottish education is much more positive. '…the proportion of pupils achieving the expected level in literacy and numeracy across primary and secondary schools reached its highest level ever in 2023/24…' Partly true. The figures that Jenny Gilruth talks about have never been higher, but some are equal to the levels recorded in previous years. In primary schools, 74 percent of pupils met the expected standard in literacy, and this is indeed the highest level ever recorded. In numeracy, 80 percent of primary pupils reach the expected standard, which is the joint-highest level recorded alongside the figure for last year – although if we stop rounding to whole numbers, the data does show a small increase in the most recent year. In secondary school, 88 percent of S3 pupils meet the expected standard in literacy, which is the same as the level from the previous year, and just one percentage point higher than the levels recorded for 2016/17. If we look specifically at Reading levels (which are one of three components of literacy scores) we actually see that there has been a decline since 2018/19. For numeracy, the number achieving the expected level is 90 percent, which is equal to the figure for 2018/19 and higher than other years. It is important to note that the government changed the way it records this information when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister, so when Jenny Gilruth refers to the 'highest ever' levels she is discussing data that only goes back to 2016/17. '…the poverty-related attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas meeting standards in literacy has also reached record levels…' True. (It is reasonable to assume that Jenny Gilruth meant 'record lows') For primary literacy the gap is 20.2 percentage points, just beating the previous low of 20.5 percentage points; amongst secondary pupils, the literacy gap is 12.7 percentage points, which is just over half a percentage point lower than the previous record of 13.3 points. '…the gap in relation to our secondary pupils achieving third level in terms of literacy and numeracy has reached record lows too…' True. The attainment gap for secondary school literacy is 12 percentage points, while the previous low was 13.5 percentage points in 2017/18. '…the percentage of those in a positive destination three months after leaving schools is 95.7% - that's the second highest since records began…' Partly true. The percentage in a positive destination was 0.2 percentage points higher last year, but otherwise the 95.7 percent recorded for 2023/24 is higher than all previous years with the exception of 2021/22, when the figure was also 95.7 percent. '…the ACEL data tells us a much more positive story…' True. This refers to Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (ACEL), and is the source of the claims about literacy and numeracy levels in primary and secondary schools. This measurement system was introduced by the Scottish Government after Nicola Sturgeon promised to close the attainment gap and asked to be judged on her record for doing so. As part of these changes, the government scrapped the objective, national data that was previously generated by the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy and introduced a system that is much more subjective, far less precise, and much more open to manipulation. ACEL data does tell a much more positive story, but many would argue that this is because it was designed to do that very job. '…when we look for example at examinations data as well we are seeing a trajectory post-pandemic of improvement…' False. The pass rate for Highers has declined in each of the past three years and in 2024 stood at 74.9 percent. This is 0.1 percentage points up on the figure from 2019, but is significantly lower than the rates recorded in the rest of the pre-pandemic period (2016, 2017, and 2018). The overall Higher attainment gap is now larger than at any point since the new qualifications were introduced nearly a decade ago. At National 5, the overall pass rate is the lowest ever recorded and the attainment gap is higher than it has ever been. The same is true for Advanced Higher. In terms of overall examinations data, things have been getting worse in the post-pandemic period, not better. Data sources:
Press and Journal
30-04-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
School league tables 2025: Here's how Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands and island secondary schools rank
has pipped at the post to lead the Press and Journal's take on the 2025 school league tables. The two city schools both improved their performances from last year – but made the bigger change. had led the charge for the previous three years. Elsewhere in the north and north-east, and were leading the way. Schools are ranked based on the percentage of leavers to gain five or more Higher qualifications (or equivalent). This is considered a benchmark of achievement as it's a common entry requirement for university. The best performing schools in each local authority area are: went up six points to 58%, with jumping the same amount of points to 39%. In the Highlands, 215-pupil leapt 32 points to 62%. topped the Argyll and Bute table with a score of 46% – up 5% from last year. In the islands, in Shetland came out on top, leaping 14 points to 44%. did the same in the Orkneys, with a jump from last year of 6 points to 39%. The in Harris won the battle of the Western Isles – even with drop of nine points to 41%. Each year the Scottish Government publishes attainment data for every school in Scotland. The figures our 2025 school league table is based on are the percentages of leavers to achieve five or more qualifications at SCQF level 6. As well as Highers, this can include qualifications such as a National Certificate or Modern Apprenticeship. They also compare each result to last year. Publication of school league tables is controversial, seen by many as an index of deprivation rather than a measure of individual schools' performance. An attainment gap exists between pupils who live in the most and least affluent areas. In all of our 2025 top 10 schools, fewer than a fifth pupils live in deprived areas (designated quintile one in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation). At the other end of the table, schools such as Inverness High School and Northfield Academy in Aberdeen face more deprivation. Here are the 10 lowest-scoring schools when assessed by percentage of leavers with five or more highers or equivalent qualification in 2023/24: But in today's world, is this really the best measure of success? Many would not agree, including Peterhead Academy's head teacher Gerry McCluskey. Last year, his school ranked very low in our league tables, with just 14% of leavers obtaining five or more highers. This year, that figure for Peterhead is now at 24%. In an extensive interview with the P&J last April, Mr McCluskey said the league tables are far from the whole story for his school. He told us at the time: 'The percentage of leavers at Peterhead Academy achieving a positive destination after school is 96%. 'That's the same as the likes of Bearsden Academy. Yes, they're getting more Highers, but while our young people are leaving school earlier, they're still moving on to employment, further education, higher education, graduate apprenticeships. 'What you also need to take into account is that as a community, we're almost a self-sustaining economy in Peterhead. We've got a lot of opportunities, we're the biggest town in Aberdeenshire, there's a lot of businesses, a lot of industries that are very attractive for our young people to go and work at.' You can look at last year's results in full detail here.
The Courier
30-04-2025
- General
- The Courier
School league table 2025: How Tayside, Fife & Stirling schools rank
A Fife school has made huge gains to reach the top two in The Courier's secondary schools league of 2025. Dunfermline High School was surpassed only by Dunblane High School in our ranking of 52 schools in Angus, Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross and Stirling. Schools are ranked on the percentage of leavers with five or more Higher qualifications (or equivalent). An impressive 60% of pupils to leave Dunfermline High in 2023/24 have five or more Highers (or equivalent) compared to 43% the year before. The best performing schools in each local authority area are: Dunblane retained the top spot in The Courier secondary schools league. It also recorded an increase in leavers with five or more Highers to 70%, compared to 62% the year before. Impressive rises were also seen at The Community School of Auchterarder, up 23 to 58%. Blairgowrie High School's percentage rose 10 to 37%. But there were significant decreases at Woodmill High School, Dunfermline, down 13 to 37%, and St John's RC Academy, Perth, down 16 to 32%. Bertha Park High School, also in Perth, is included in our table for the first time, as it had an S6 cohort for the first time in 2023/24. And 32% of its leavers gained five or more Highers. Five or more Highers is considered a benchmark of achievement as it is a common entry requirement for university. You can find out how your school performed below, in our table of Angus, Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross and Stirling local authority secondary schools. Each year the Scottish Government publishes attainment data for every school in Scotland. The figures our 2025 school league table is based on are the percentages of leavers to achieve five or more qualifications at SCQF level 6. As well as Highers, this can include qualifications such as a National Certificate or Modern Apprenticeship. Publication of school league tables is controversial, seen by many as an index of deprivation rather than a measure of individual schools' performance. An attainment gap exists between pupils who live in the most and least affluent areas. Indeed, in our top nine schools of 2025 fewer than one in 10 pupils live in the most deprived areas (designated quintile one in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation). At the three worst performing schools more than half of pupils are from the most deprived areas.
