5. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve lifelong learning in Scotland. (S6O-02986)

Our lifelong learning offer already caters for a range of learner needs. However, last month, I set out to Parliament the steps that I will be taking to further improve lifelong learning in Scotland. As part of our reform programme, the Scottish Government will take the lead on skills planning, simplify funding and take a central role in the development of apprenticeships. I have also commissioned a short independent review of community learning, to be led by Kate Still, which is to make recommendations by summer 2024.

I am grateful for that response, and I hope that members across the chamber can agree on the importance of lifelong learning.

According to last year’s Scottish Government report, “Adult lifetime skills: a literature review”,

“Literature on the weaknesses of the current adult skills system in Scotland is also relatively sparse”.

Can the minister tell us why, after 25 years of being a devolved nation, for 17 years of which a Scottish National Party Government has been in charge, there are still significant gaps in lifetime skills data and when the Government will rectify that? When will those gaps be identified and, more important, when will the need be met?

I will begin on a note of consensus: I completely concur with Martin Whitfield on the importance of the issue that he raises. I also recognise that he has a genuine interest in the topic.

I will offer just three specifics on what we are planning to do, because I think that it is more important to talk about what we intend to do and what we will do, rather than what has happened previously. I hope that my answer provides him with some reassurance on the seriousness of my intent in this area.

The national careers service that we intend to offer will be an all-ages service; it will not be aimed primarily at young people, important though it is that we get that aspect right. We are also working with employers and colleges in particular to shape an agile and responsive short qualifications offering that meets the needs of businesses and employees who are looking to upskill to meet changing needs.

There is also a review of community learning and development provision to identify where in the country we might have to improve that offer in order to provide people of all ages with the chance to improve the quality of their day-to-day lives and, where applicable, access to education, training and employment.

I agree that there is a need for data to underpin that. In part, the review is intended to give us a clear picture of what is happening, but we know but that there are issues, because they have been identified by the Withers review and others. I am inclined simply to get on with fixing some of those issues.

I very much welcome the minister’s evident commitment to improving lifelong learning in Scotland. It is commendable that that is the Scottish Government’s position. Can the minister indicate what assessment has been made of how to promote that objective in my Cowdenbeath constituency and across the kingdom of Fife?

Annabelle Ewing makes a very good point, which is at the heart of why I have commissioned the review. If we are to address the point that has been made by her and others, we must understand what is and what is not working well and where there are pockets of good practice that we can try to roll out.

It is important to raise awareness of access to community learning and development, but I want to understand better the position across the country, so that we can take steps that are informed by robust information.