Making Scotland's future - a recovery plan for manufacturing: June 2021 - final

Annex 3 You said/Our response

Collaboration And Networks

No change to action descriptors

You Said…

Leverage existing support services rather than create new ones and ensure the possibility of linking into a diverse range of networks, extending beyond Scotland. Provide more effective signposting of alternative sources of support with "no wrong door".

Our Response

This is captured under action CN1. The aim is to simplify the broad manufacturing landscape and to bring to one place, the broad range of networks in Scotland and the UK.

You Said…

Provide access to capability, expertise and facilities to prove products and help de-risk the production process. Host themed accelerator programmes at relevant facilities, for example: medicines at the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre; or renewables at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN1 and CN3. The aim is to simplify the process of identifying and engaging with existing organisations that can support specific activities.

You Said…

There is a need for real engagement with local government to maximise 'on the ground' knowledge within regions.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN1.

You Said…

Create a manufacturing ecosystem that encourages more business collaboration, maximises access to support and provides better visibility of supply chain opportunities.

Our Response

This is captured under actions CN1 and CN5.

You Said…

Use membership bodies to facilitate sharing and collaboration opportunities.

Our Response

This is captured under actions CN1 and CN5.

You Said…

Utilise strengths of Scotland's investment community and ensure alignment with the Scottish National Investment Bank.

Our Response

This is captured under actions CN2.

You Said…

Undertake 'investment readiness' activities with a focus on 'company journey'.

Our Response

This is an existing enterprise agency service.

You Said…

Incentivise sustainable/circular finance, particularly for SMEs.

Our Response

This will be considered within action CN4 through engagement with public sector investment banks.

You Said…

Increase the impact of the Manufacturing Investment Forum by focusing on sectors critical to delivering a green economy.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN2.

You Said…

Consider the market need for a start-up accelerator since limited public funding is available and a range of accelerators already exist or are planned, for example, through City and Growth Deals. Suggest the establishment of a pan-Scotland virtual accelerator to draw on best practice.

Our Response

This will be considered under action CN3.

You Said…

Develop a clear picture of existing public and private funding opportunities including clarity in eligibility and the different features of each source.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN4.

You Said…

Encourage consortia formation for funding bids, with support for SMEs to participate and simplify the funding process.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN4.

You Said…

Enable access to advice on effective models and best practice for collaboration, for example, through demonstrator projects.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN5.

You Said…

Ensure alignment with focus areas in Scotland's Inward Investment Plan.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN6.

You Said…

Ensure consideration on a balance between collaboration and Intellectual Property protection/competition law.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN5.

You Said…

Create a resource to allow business to seek and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN5.

You Said…

Ensure selection criterion for attracting inward investment includes a focus on high value manufacturing and associated research and development.

Our Response

This will be captured under action CN6.

You Said…

Establish effective domestic and international collaborations that accelerate product delivery, emphasising specialisation, collaboration and sharing best practice. This should be led by manufacturers.

Our Response

This is captured under action CN6.

You Said…

Ensure better working with Scottish academia and deliver interventions through collaboration with university and colleges to support innovation, skills and digital transformation.

Our Response

This is being considered under action CN1.

You Said…

We can help to develop, enhance and establish your action to create a Network of Networks.

Our Response

This is relevant to action CN1 and partners will follow up on any offers made to help.

Supply Chains And Competitiveness

Actions SCC4 and SCC5 have merged. Overlapping activities identified within these which can be delivered more efficiently as a single action. Numbering of actions have been updated accordingly to reflect the removal or merging of any of the original. Any superseding action is not intended to be a direct replacement of the original action with that action code.

You Said…

Respond to the emerging sectoral supply chain opportunities delivered in increasing areas of importance such as Net Zero.

Our Response

This is captured in actions SCC1 and SCC3. Supply chain resource will be aligned appropriately to areas of prioritisation such as zero emission vehicle, space and heat decarbonisation to maximise the economic opportunities from these emerging sectors.

You Said…

Support the reshoring of supply chains and demonstrate its wider value.

Our Response

This is captured within action SCC1. A formalised approach has been developed to assist large manufacturing businesses in Scotland to identify opportunities to reshore production to increase resilience, improve operational effectiveness whilst maximising in-country supply chain content.

You Said…

Develop internal capabilities for critical supply chains and combat broader issues such as Brexit for sectors such as food and drink.

Our Response

This is captured under actions SCC1 and SCC4.

Adaptation And Transformation

Actions AT2 and AT3 have been amended as a response to consultation feedback.

You Said…

The environmental activity within the actions is too narrow and does not match the ambitions to support a green recovery being made in the recovery plan.

Our Response

Action AT2 has been re-developed. This aims to produce a more comprehensive environmental solution for manufacturing in response to the consultation feedback to generate an activity which could have more substantial impact. The action has been widened to address broader environmental activity that includes sustainability through reduced environmental impact across manufacturing facilities, infrastructure, product and waste streams.

You Said…

Ensure barriers are not being created for businesses trying to access support, especially SMEs, where a requirement is being made for Cyber Essentials accreditation. Cyber Essentials is a large ask for manufacturing companies who are looking to recover economically post‑pandemic.

Our Response

Action AT3 has been re-developed. Rather than accreditation, this aims to create a development "journey" through a redefined approach to increase the potential level of cyber resilience in the manufacturing sector. A coherent approach has been established for the delivery of this action with the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit which is aligned to the Cyber Resilient Scotland: Strategic Framework.

You Said…

Help businesses to understand the benefits of digital adoption by demonstrating success through the use of case studies and show the correlation between investment or change with improved outcomes in efficiency and profit.

Our Response

This is captured under actions AT1 and AT4.

You Said…

Better educate businesses on what constitutes net zero carbon and encourage a better understanding of how to "do the right thing".

Our Response

This is captured under action AT2.

You Said…

Incentivise decisions for manufacturers that support the transition to net zero and a circular economy.

Our Response

This is captured under action AT2.

You Said…

Tailor messaging for digital development and low carbon integration to take account of size and maturity levels of businesses to provide a clear route and relevant understanding of available support.

Our Response

This is captured under action AT1, AT2 and AT4.

You Said…

Support cross-sectoral collaboration and clustering activity to draw upon experience and innovation from a wider range of sources.

Our Response

This is being considered under action actions CN1 and AT5.

You Said…

Consider how to appropriately introduce conditionality in relation to net zero planning and the incorporation of circular economy principles for Scottish companies accessing public support.

Our Response

This is being considered under action AT2.

You Said…

Provide support to help improve monitoring of the condition of assets, allowing businesses to optimise maintenance and increasing the lifespan of equipment.

Our Response

This is an existing enterprise agency service. The Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service can assist with a review of the current provision and recommend different approaches which can include signposting on to a technology specialist such as the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.

You Said…

Expand on the Digital Development Loans and the Digital Boost Fund by maximising awareness through the utilisation of multi-sectoral channels and developing clearer objectives around enabling/piloting innovation, advancing manufacture and automation.

Our Response

This is being considered under action AT1. Alignment has been made with Scottish Government Digital Economy Unit to capture future opportunities for manufacturing within this policy area.

You Said…

Consider a longer term intervention to support clustering activity. The lifespan of the Recovery Plan creates a challenge to delivering the support needed for clustering to be successful.

Our Response

This is captured under action AT5. The aim is to establish a direction and to take forward activity by the end of the lifespan of the Recovery Plan.

Skills And Workforce

Action SWF2 has now been removed as a proposed action as existing systems have adapted and new incentives have been incorporated into SWF1. SWF3 and SWF6 have been merged to reduce duplication and deliver a programme which addresses both sectoral and regional impacts of the pandemic. Numbering of actions have been updated accordingly to reflect the removal or merging of any of the original actions. Any superseding action is not intended to be a direct replacement of the original action with that action code.

You Said…

Ensure the continued alignment of skills supply with areas of demand and planning for emerging pressures.

Our Response

This is captured under all areas of the Skills and workforce actions.

Skills Alignment continues to be a priority for the Enterprise Skills Strategic Board and its partners and there is a progressive programme of work in place. The Recovery Plan partnership will continue to consult with the Engineering Skills Leadership Group on course curriculum and delivery methods.

You Said…

Consider how to better align apprenticeships with business demand and simplify the process of recruitment. Look to focus apprenticeship pathways towards emerging areas such green manufacturing and digital.

Our Response

This is being considered under actions SWF1 and SWF4. Skills Development Scotland has an ongoing programme of work guided by the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) to review and update Apprenticeship Frameworks. The Recovery Plan partners have worked closely with SAAB to provide input into the Apprenticeship Programme.

You Said…

There is a need for collaboration at scale to reflect the growing importance of upskilling and reskilling to tackle the emerging needs of new technologies.

Our Response

The collaborative work being led by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland will address future skill needs driven by new technologies across manufacturers and supply chains.

You Said…

Consider graduates and apprentices from disadvantaged backgrounds who will be more vulnerable in the pandemic context.

Our Response

Support already exists in this space. The Scottish Young Persons Guarantee, which is heavily geared to support individuals with multiple barriers to employment will provide financial support and is specifically designed to help disadvantaged individuals. It will take a Fair Work First approach.

You Said…

Ensure targeted training and curriculum inclusion as options to raise awareness of just transition, sustainability, and supporting transition via products, production methods and the end user. Behavioural and leadership training was also noted in this context.

Our Response

This is being considered under action SWF3.

You Said…

Allow for regional economic nuances and coordinate skills activity with both the strengths and needs across Scotland whilst being sure to coordinate activity and minimise duplication.

Our Response

This is captured under action SWF2.

You Said…

Utilise public support and procurement opportunities as a driver for Fair Work.

Our Response

All public sector procurement now adopts a Fair Work First approach.

You Said…

Ensure a more explicit emphasis to equality and diversity issues within the sector and more tangible outcomes should be targeted to find opportunities to support these underlying challenges.

Our Response

This is being considered within all Skills and workforce actions.

The 21/22 programme of the National Transition Training Fund will include a number of specific Equality and Diversity programmes, which will be developed and delivered in partnership.