The Scottish Government’s Labour Market Strategy has spawned a group of academics, trade union representatives and business experts who will meet later today in Edinburgh. The purpose is to support the government’s wish to create more and better paid jobs.
The think tank will examine ways of producing such jobs and getting the unemployment rate down.
The aim is to have jobs where employees feel valued and respected.
Chaired by Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn, the group will also measure the strategy’s progress, make recommendations on adapting to changes in the labour market such as the impact of Brexit, and consider new research on developing the workforce.
He said:“We recognise that creating a fairer society, where there are no barriers to work and employees are skilled, valued and meet the needs of employers is key to our ambitions of building a strong and inclusive economy.
“Our labour market must be responsive and adaptable and we must ensure that we are taking all the steps we can to get more people into secure, well paid, quality work which is why getting businesses, trade unions, policy and academia together to come up with new ideas is crucial.”
The members of the group include:
Dr. Jim McCormick, Joseph Rowntree Foundation; Prof. Ewart Keep, Oxford University
David Watt, Institute of Directors Scotland
Dr. Gina Netto, Heriot-Watt University
Elma Murray, SOLACE
Prof. Graeme Roy, Fraser of Allander Institute
Stephen Boyle, Royal Bank of Scotland
Amanda Jones, Maclay Murray & Spens LLP
Gary Sharp, Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed
Jamie Kerr, Thorntons Law
Michelle Armour, Babcock International Group
Hamish Watson, Scottish Power
Mark Smith, Standard Life
Lynne Cadenhead, WES
Grahame Smith, STUC
Francis Stuart, Oxfam
Lucy O’Carroll, Aberdeen Asset Management
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