Question reference: S6W-05721
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 14 January 2022
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Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 25 January 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to simplify and increase access to opportunities and tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to (a) reskill and (b) upskill their workforce with green funding uplifts and diversity bursaries.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the important role upskilling and retraining interventions play in improving productivity and business competitiveness, and is committed to providing relevant support for businesses of all sizes in doing so. This is particularly the case in regard to our transition to net zero emissions.
In December 2020 the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland published the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) setting out the actions required to ensure Scotland’s labour market is able to effectively support the transition to net zero. Through CESAP, the Green Jobs Workforce Academy administered by Skills Development Scotland, launched on the 23 August to help workers identify and access relevant green jobs and training.
In addition, the National Transition Training Fund is supporting a number of work-based training opportunities/funding streams to support net zero, including:
- Training support for those businesses receiving Green Jobs Fund grants to enable necessary workforce upskilling;
- Support for a range of projects being delivered as part of the Green Skills Workforce Academy, including awareness for SMEs and work placements through Naturescot;
- Funding for the delivery of Passivhaus design and insulation through the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre;
- Energy Skills Partnership delivery through colleges of courses to support net zero including heat pump fitting.