The partnership aims to support 4 new PhD studentships per year – 16 are currently underway. Their research will provide new knowledge and insights to help advance the understanding of key skills issues from a Scottish perspective.

The overall purpose of the SDS-SGSSS PhD scheme is to engage with the academic community to support the production of new, high-quality research focused on the Scottish labour market. It will:

• Contribute to the development of a cadre of high-quality academic researchers with a deep knowledge of the Scottish skills landscape
• Provide SDS with access to high-quality academic research around topics of longer-term interest
• Increase the range and scope of SDS engagement with academic experts in support of skills policy

Current research topics include:

• Young people’s response to new opportunities – have decision making behaviours changed over time?
• The wider benefits of Career Management Skills to individuals
• The impact of business models and innovative leadership practices on organisational performance
• Skills for the 4th industrial revolution: implications for pedagogy in learning and skills provision
• Promoting entrepreneurialism in the workplace
• Work-Based-Learning (WBL) and Firm Performance