Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation

Conclusion

I want to conclude by reiterating and emphasising that there is a lot to celebrate in our post-school learning system. There is good work, good intentions and actors within the existing delivery landscape should feel proud of what they have achieved, particularly in the face of recent significant and unprecedented challenges arising from the UK's exit from the EU, the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.

However, for too long the different parts of this system have been left to evolve and, for all the reasons I have outlined in this report, I do not believe that the current landscape is working to best effect for those who use and rely on its services. It is my view that substantial change is required to ensure the system is fit for the future. For the reasons I have set out I believe, in the context of wider education reform, the challenges of a tight fiscal environment, rising living costs, and the need to act now to ensure a just transition, that the time is right to make those changes.

My case for substantial change is not the same as saying that the current system, or those involved in its delivery, have failed. This Review wasn't about how well we have done, but about what we need to do now to face the future. I am painfully aware that structural change can be challenging for many people especially when it impacts on the remits of organisations, the jobs that people are doing and the processes we are used to following. It will create uncertainty for individuals, and it will take time to implement. For this reason, it will require strong, decisive leadership from the Scottish Government, a clarity of focus and an unwavering commitment to the north star vision of what we are seeking to achieve.

With that in place, a system could emerge which has clarity of purpose, roles and responsibilities, offers flexibility and accountability and, crucially, gives learners of all ages what they need to define and achieve their own success in the careers path that is right for them. By setting out pillars of a successful future landscape, it is my hope that I have put in place the bones of that vision around which Government and partners can now coalesce to work together to build a new system. This will ensure that the considerable resource that goes into this space can be utilised to best effect, creating a new national infrastructure which delivers for Scotland's people and economy.