Learning & Skills – the Hottest Topics in 2014

Image is © Andrew Mackie

Here’s our annual list of Learning & Skills ‘Hot Topics’ that made it onto the cover of Informed Scotland over the past year:

  1. Apprenticeships (9 in 2013)
  2. Partnerships & collaboration (3)
  3. Digital literacy, inclusion & skills (1)
  4. Skills gaps & shortages (6)
  5. Work experience, internships & work-related learning (-)
  6. Raising attainment & widening access (10)
  7. Gender gaps, balance & roles (-)
  8. Knowledge exchange & business engagement (2)
  9. Innovation (-)
  10. Science, technology, engineering & maths (STEM) (8)

Missing but not forgotten from this year’s list were Youth employment & employability (5) and Creativity & creative skills (7). However, International collaboration & comparisons (4) didn’t get a mention on any cover in 2014.

The list was produced by pretty unscientific methodology – the ranking of some items will no doubt prompt debate – but we think it captures a flavour of the main issues last year. Well done @gradengshow for predicting that ‘Internships’ would make it into the chart!

What are your predictions for 2015? We predict more of the same, with a re-entry for youth employment following the new Scottish Government Young Workforce Strategy. Leadership is a strong new contender and perhaps STEAM (STEM + Arts) will finally break through! Let us know what you think – tweet us @InformedScot or comment on the Informed Scotland page on LinkedIn.

Make it your New Year’s resolution to be better informed about what’s happening across learning & skills in business, schools, further & higher education, community & adult learning, and government & wider society. Contact [email protected] to receive a recent sample copy and find out how to subscribe here.

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