Enterprise and Skills Review: call for evidence

Annex B: Agency Roles and Responsibilities

Our enterprise and skills agencies perform a wide range of functions which are vital to supporting the Scottish economy.

Scottish Enterprise (SE)

SE is the main economic development agency for lowland Scotland, playing an important role in assisting businesses in Scotland and delivering Scotland's Economic Strategy. Its functions include:

• furthering the development of Scotland's economy and in that connection providing, maintaining and safeguarding employment;
• promoting Scotland's industrial efficiency and international competitiveness;
• furthering improvement of the environment of Scotland.

SE's future priorities can be found in the 2016-17 update to its business plan.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)

HIE is the main economic development agency for Highlands and Islands in Scotland, playing an important role in assisting businesses and communities in Scotland and in delivering Scotland's Economic Strategy. Its functions include:

• preparing, concerting, promoting, assisting and undertaking measures for the economic and social development of the Highlands and Islands;
• maintaining and enhancing skills and capacities relevant to employment in the Highlands;
• furthering improvement of the environment of the Highlands and Islands.

HIE's future priorities can be found in its 2016-19 operating plan.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

SDS is the national skills body supporting the people and businesses of Scotland to develop and apply their skills. Its key functions include:

• Contracting for training programmes including Modern Apprenticeships and support for those seeking employment;
• Provision of labour market intelligence and research to align skills investment with labour market needs through Skills Investment Plans and Regional Skills Assessments;
• Delivery of Scotland's all age Career Information Advice and Guidance service through a range of face to face and digital channels.

These are detailed further in its operating plan for 2016-17.

Scottish Funding Council (SFC)

The SFC exists to fund the provision of coherent further and higher education and research in colleges and universities, as well as supporting other relevant activity. It:

• allocates public funding to colleges and HEIs for teaching and research, buildings and equipment, and for specific initiatives and strategic developments;
• assesses and enhances the quality of learning programmes;
• develops strategies for improving knowledge and skills, strengthening the Scottish research base and encouraging knowledge exchange with - and innovation in - the public and private sectors.

Its future priorities are set out in its 2015-2018 Strategic Plan.