. • Particular issues in skilled female representation across tech sectors • Skills Agenda is a key focus area for the Economy and Fair Work Committee on and how to address/resolve issues with the current funding models • Need to focus on building a future ready workforce, especially in the Space Sector including employing more females in tech sectors generally • Travel Sector does not sit easily within existing skills training, educational and financial support offers – they have to do most of their skills training “in house” • More rural based employers face issues around securing workforce due to availability of local secure accommodation rather than purely skills aspects • There needs to be a change in the language and messaging around promoting skills and opportunities as this reflects how they are viewed by both employers and the young people/parents themselves Mitigations / Opportunities • Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships can offer the right opportunities • Offshoring of employment and implementation of AI to software development • Flexible employment and educational pathways and responsive training focus • More strategic collaboration and forward thinking to support Space sector, including marketing focus to make it more attractive to potential female employees • Understanding where the Travel sector sits in the skills landscape would help solve some of the issues • H&I work ongoing on co-production model between schools and employers to bring all of the relevant connected issues together to understand and resolve • Ensuring messaging is inclusive is also key in ensuring we’re not excluding young people who might be interested in specific sectors – inclusivity and diversity are key aspects in how we promote Panel Concluding Observations • Focus on prioritising skills levels to suit the needs of specific sectors as well as where these skills are delivered and ensuring funding is routed accordingly • Murdo Fraser: Three key points raised today which are key to focus on: o Housing / Accommodation - huge issue across Scotland and a key element of support for rural based employers/employees – Govt need to develop a planning framework that better supports this – current process is too long and too complicated o Apprenticeship Levy...