Education, Children and Young People Committee 03 December 2025 [Draft]
For my four amendments in this group, I have been working with SELECT—Scotland’s electrical trade association. Amendment 30 specifies that Scottish ministers may make
“provision of grants, loans or payments to managing agents”
for the delivery of Scottish apprenticeships or work-based learning.
Amendment 31 would add a reference to “managing agent” alongside training providers in relation to the SFC making grants for apprenticeships and work-based learning.
Amendment 32 is consequential, and amendment 33 would add the definition of “managing agent”.
The purpose of the amendments is to address what has been quite a controversial debate during the scrutiny of the bill, about the role of managing agents. I know that Mr Adam had a particular concern about the margin and the profitability that it is claimed that some of those managing agents take. My amendments are an attempt to rebalance the discussion, because managing agents have an important role to play, within a strict set of rules. Therefore, they should be specified in the bill to ensure that we provide assurance about those who provide a very good service, in order to enhance the role of skills development and work-based learning in Scotland.
Managing agents undertake a variety of different important roles, including offering pre-employment assessments to all applicants; arranging the enrolment of apprentices and adult trainees to 22 colleges across Scotland; co-ordinating and timetabling courses at colleges; providing teaching materials; paying college fees; and providing training support to apprentices and employers.
I am keen to hear the minister’s response to that, to see whether the amendments are necessary and whether he can provide me with assurances about the role of good managing agents.