Want To Help Close The Skills Gaps In Social Services?
By News Scotland

What skills are important to the social service sector and how are these skills best delivered?  These are just two of the topics expected to be discussed at a series of consultation events being held across Scotland this February and March.

The events are open to training providers and employers in social services, and are FREE to attend, with limited places.  The consultation events are being hosted by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), as part of the sector skills council, Skills for Care and Development (SfCD).  SfCD is holding a series of consultation events in Scotland to present the findings of research commissioned during autumn and winter 2006. 

The research with employers and service users focused on current skill gaps and future skills needs in the social service sector’s workforce. In addition, the SSSC has also been gathering data on current education and training provision for the social services sector in Scotland.

The purpose of holding the events is to allow employers and training providers to comment on the research findings prior to the completion of a final report.

The report will be an important part of shaping the content of a Sector Skills Agreement for the social services sector.  Sector Skills Agreements outline how the Sector Skills Council and employers will work with training providers and funders to secure the necessary supply of training for their specific sector and how this will be done.  

Each of the consultation events will include a presentation on the work and findings around the research.  This will be followed by workshops where individuals can discuss and put forward their views on the findings.  

The sessions are:

  • Thursday 15 February: 9.30am – 1pm, COSLA Conference Centre, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket, Edinburgh
  • Monday 19 February: 10am – 1.30pm, Kingsknowes Hotel, Selkirk Road, Galashiels
  • Friday 9 March: 9.30am – 1pm, The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow
  • Wednesday 14 March: 11am – 2.30pm, Glasgow University Crichton Campus, Browne House, Dumfries
  • Monday 19 March: 9.30am – 1pm, Discovery Point, Riverside Drive, Dundee
  • Tuesday 20 March: 1pm – 4pm, AECC, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen

A video conference is planned for the Inverness and Highlands and Islands area.  Details will be available shortly.

If you would like to attend a session or would like more information, please contact Kathryn McTurk on 01382 207176 or email: [email protected]

For background information about Sector Skills Agreements please visit: www.sssc.uk.com/Sector+Skills+Agreement/Sector+Skills+Agreement.htm