Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 04 December 2025
04 Dec 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Skills Development (North-east Fishing Industry)
Education and Skills
I thank the member for raising those important points. His question builds on some of the discussion that we had at stage 2 of the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill about niche provision that we must ensure is in place, if we are to meet the goal of retaining skills that have been important in important industries in certain areas, including in the north-east of Fife and the north-east of Scotland.
If Willie Rennie wants to engage with me and the Government more widely on those points, I will be happy to try to assist him constructively, including as part of collaborative engagement with local skills or training providers, such as colleges or other entities.
In the same item of business
6. Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting skills development to promote the future of the north-east fishing industry. (S6O-05256)
The Minister for Higher and Further Education (Ben Macpherson)
SNP
One of the ways in which we support skills development in Scotland’s important fishing industry is through our marine fund Scotland. In the north-east, examp...
Douglas Lumsden
Con
Vocational qualifications are a vital route for young people to enter the fishing industry, thereby becoming the next generation of skippers, deckhands and e...
Ben Macpherson
SNP
To give some context in answering the question, I think it important to acknowledge that there has been a record number of vocational qualifications this yea...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
There are a number of supplementary questions. Before calling them, I remind members that the substantive question is on skills development in relation to th...
Colin Beattie (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the commitments in this year's programme for government on improving careers support and advice. How is the Scottish Government engaging with stake...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Minister, if you could tie your response to the substantive question, I would be grateful.
Ben Macpherson
SNP
In order to make sure that individuals and our young people can access local industries, including our important fishing industry— Members: Ah!
Ben Macpherson
SNP
—it is vital that we improve careers support for all ages. That is being taken forward as part of our reform agenda. The career services collaborative, for ...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The fishing industry in the north-east of Scotland will, of course, have to rely on the existence of apprenticeships and skills, but the Government is system...
Ben Macpherson
SNP
We had significant discussion on the bill that the member mentioned at during its stage 2 consideration both yesterday and last week. I must say that I find ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Willie Rennie. Very briefly, please.
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
In the north-east of Fife, we have significant problems with recruiting crew for the local boats. The local schools used to provide courses for young people ...
Ben Macpherson
SNP
I thank the member for raising those important points. His question builds on some of the discussion that we had at stage 2 of the Tertiary Education and Tra...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Question 7 has not been lodged.