{"id":883551,"date":"2026-04-10T00:54:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T00:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/883551\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T00:54:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T00:54:20","slug":"scottish-lib-dems-leader-sets-out-plans-for-skills-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/883551\/","title":{"rendered":"Scottish Lib Dems leader sets out plans for \u201cskills revolution\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

ALEX Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats<\/a>, has set out his party\u2019s vision for a \u201cskills revolution\u201d in Edinburgh today.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He appeared at Dynamic Earth<\/a>, just next to Holyrood to meet with young scientists from The University of Edinburgh<\/a>\u00a0to discuss a new industrial strategy and skills strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The party has launched\u00a0\u201ca new industrial strategy that focuses on what we\u2019re really good at and what we can be good at\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This strategy promises to throw the weight and levers of government behind businesses and help\u00a0achieve greater success in life sciences, energy, food and drink,\u00a0fintech\u00a0and financial services,\u00a0and defence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Alexander Cole-Hamilton, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats speaking at the Scottish Liberal Democrats Spring Conference 2026. (C) 2026 Martin McAdam<\/p>\n

In addition, Cole-Hamilton\u00a0pledged to develop a new skills strategy,\u00a0which will\u00a0they say will fit\u00a0training and education systems around\u00a0gaps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They say that this could help\u00a0the country secures the skills it needs in everything from social care to engineering and construction.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Liberal Democrats have also promised new funding for skills and Scottish Universities, which are\u00a0facing unprecedented funding shortfalls\u00a0at the moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cole-Hamilton added:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cScottish education just\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0what it used to be. We used to have one of the best education systems in the world, but under the SNP it is now just average.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole education system\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0producing the range and depth of skills that businesses and our economy need.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0ridiculous that the Scottish defence industry is having to hire 300 welders from the Philippines.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur plan will invest in education at every stage, starting from\u00a0a young age\u00a0and continuing throughout adulthood.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want every child to get the support and attention they need at school, so they leave with the skills,\u00a0confidence\u00a0and resilience to be happy and successful, whatever they choose to do next.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

He went on to criticise the state of Scotland\u2019s higher education system: \u201cWe will repair Scotland\u2019s colleges and vocational\u00a0skills system, and\u00a0safeguard the future of our world-leading universities so that we can deliver a skills revolution.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cUnlike the SNP, Scottish Liberal Democrats would get ahead of the curve instead of waiting to pick up the pieces, making the most of Scotland\u2019s homegrown skills, engineering supply\u00a0chains\u00a0and natural advantages.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

In recent budget negotiations, the Scottish Liberal Democrats secured\u00a0\u00a370m for Scotland\u2019s struggling colleges, a 10% increase on the previous year\u2019s budget.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Scottish Liberal Democrats also secured up to \u00a31.4 million in funding for\u00a0Corseford\u00a0College\u00a0in Renfrewshire as part of budget negotiations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This funding, announced in early 2025, ensures the specialised college for students with complex needs\u00a0remains\u00a0open until at least 2027.<\/p>\n

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