Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 06 December 2012
06 Dec 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Careers Services
I am aware of that survey only because it is quoted in the Unison briefing that has been distributed to members today. I have of course seen press comments about the Unison briefing. It is unfortunate that the briefing has not been provided to SDS, the employer. I cannot comment in detail on information that I and Skills Development Scotland have not received.
I will say, to reassure Mrs Scanlon, that the survey—
I will say, to reassure Mrs Scanlon, that the survey—
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-05109, in the name of Angela Constance, on the modernisation of Scotland’s careers services.14:57
The Minister for Youth Employment (Angela Constance)
SNP
Having the right people with the right skills in the right jobs is central to growing Scotland’s economy, and an effective careers service is a crucial found...
Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I am interested in the minister’s comments on a “universal service for all young people”. I have in front of me “Putting Learners at the Centre—Delivering ou...
Angela Constance
SNP
Absolutely not. One of the strengths of the careers service as it stands but enhanced by modernisation is that it will be flexible and responsive. With the u...
Drew Smith (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The move from face-to-face support to online support has its challenges, of course. Is the minister aware, for example, of the recent figures that I have, wh...
Angela Constance
SNP
Let us be clear that a person does not need to be registered to access the careers service, but of course we want young people to register, as we think that ...
Kezia Dugdale
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Angela Constance
SNP
Not just now—I have not finished dealing with Mr Smith’s point.With every month that goes by, registration increases by 10 to 15 per cent. I also take except...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Angela Constance
SNP
No, thank you.Those young people will receive career management skills in the classroom as part of the curriculum for excellence. That is our baseline univer...
Kezia Dugdale
Lab
The minister says that she wants careers services to be at the heart of the system. How, then, can she explain a 20 per cent cut in front-line services? That...
Angela Constance
SNP
Miss Dugdale will be aware—it is no secret—that Skills Development Scotland has had a voluntary severance scheme, which ended in March 2012. However, there h...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am not a member of the Education and Culture Committee and I am quite new to the issue, but I have read the briefing from Unison, which says that 93 per ce...
Angela Constance
SNP
I am aware of that survey only because it is quoted in the Unison briefing that has been distributed to members today. I have of course seen press comments a...
Kezia Dugdale
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Angela Constance
SNP
No. The survey had 350 staff—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Ms Dugdale, sit down.
Angela Constance
SNP
I understand that 350 staff participated in the survey, out of a head count of 1,150 staff. The survey took place before the intensive face-to-face engagemen...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Can we stop having remarks from a sedentary position?
Angela Constance
SNP
The Government is firmly committed to high-quality universal careers services for people of all ages. We are committed to services that are independent, impa...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
My experience of being a recipient of careers guidance at school was not particularly good, but that probably says more about my attitude as a surly, spotty ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell)
SNP
No.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I think that in this case Mr Russell was the innocent party. Some of his colleagues were certainly intervening.
Neil Findlay
Lab
I humbly apologise. Someone must have the same dulcet tones as Mr Russell.Help for young people with careers development is important. Our young people need ...
Angela Constance
SNP
I am certainly aware of the research that those reputable researchers conducted in 2009, which was actually pre my world of work. Does Mr Findlay accept that...
Neil Findlay
Lab
I am just coming to that point. The academics suggest that web-based services, while potentially a useful tool, should not replace the current face-to-face c...
Angela Constance
SNP
Will Mr Findlay give way?
Neil Findlay
Lab
Certainly.
Angela Constance
SNP
As Mr Findlay is so well informed by his trade union and Skills Development Scotland sources, does he accept the commitment that has been given that, in the ...
Neil Findlay
Lab
Presiding Officer, I think that we have heard enough from the minister now.