National Employability Support Workers Training Programme scoping survey

Employability support is an increasingly important sector in Scotland, and as the support becomes more holistic to address a wider range of needs and barriers, the work and skills required have become more complex. A great deal of good practice has been developed over the years, but it remains largely in pockets rather than widespread. To both recognise employability support as a profession and spread good practice more readily, the Scottish Government's Employability Team would like to explore the scope for developing a national employability support workers’ training programme, with associated qualifications as required.

The aim is for the training programme and any qualifications to:

• be nationally accessible
• provide nationally recognised modules that are transferable between learning institutions to create packages of learning and qualifications
• be practically driven so learners use their new skills and knowledge at work as they learn
• build on good practice and existing learning and experience
• be designed to fit the needs of learners, employers and, ultimately the Scottish economy and workless population.

This survey explores the needs, demand and known supply of learning in the area of employability support. We will use the findings to inform the development of a qualification in close collaboration with the academic community and other learning providers.