Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning
Encyclopedia
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in Scotland
is a cabinet position in the devolved
Scottish Government. The position was created in 1999, with the advent of devolution and the institution of the Scottish Parliament
, taking over some of the roles and functions of the former Scottish Office
that existed prior to 1999.
) is responsible to the First Minister (Jack McConnell
) and assists the Enterprise Minister, (Nicol Stephen
) in the performance of his duties and fulfils the function of the Enterprise Minister in his absence.
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning is responsible for economy, business and industry including Scottish Enterprise
, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
, trade and inward investment, further and higher education, science, corporate social responsibility, community business and co-operative development, European Structural Funds, energy, lifelong learning, training and skills.
As part of its commitment to fostering long-term, sustainable economic growth in Scotland, the Executive works with the Enterprise Networks to help deliver the enterprise strategy aimed at creating a smart, successful Scotland.
The Executive is committed to fostering long-term, sustainable economic growth in Scotland. Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are the key economic development agencies in Scotland.
The Executive's document "A Smart, Successful Scotland" gives them their strategic direction.
At the local level Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and islands Enterprise operate through a network of Local Enterprise Companies (LECs). There are 12 in the Scottish Enterprise area and 10 in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area.
The Partnership Agreement commits the Scottish Government to work in partnership with business and establish an Annual Business Forum to develop ideas and maximise the drivers for growth.
The Executive jointly hosted a business conference with the Scottish Parliament on 22 and 23 April 2004.
The aim of this unique partnership event between the Executive and the Parliament was to engage Scottish business in continuing to grow Scotland's economy.
The Executive has considered the main issues raised at the Conference and in September 2004 produced a formal response to each of these issues. In July 2005, an updated response was published, to show policy development and implementation progress.
It is currently held twice yearly, and is hosted by a different local authority each time with the location alternating between a mainland and an island.
The Convention is intended to strengthen co-ordination between member organisations, the Executive and other representative bodies to better inform the development and realisation of strategic economic, environmental, cultural and social justice objectives.
The Convention is unique to the Highlands and Islands because the level of remoteness, rurality and sparseness of population here is not mirrored elsewhere in Scotland.
It recognises the diversity and differing needs of Highland and Islands communities, and the distinct nature of the challenges and opportunities that exist in the area. The Convention's focus will be on delivering these strategic objectives to the long-term benefit of the people of the Highlands and Islands, and Scotland.
The Convention is held in a different location once every six months.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
is a cabinet position in the devolved
Devolution
Devolution is the statutory granting of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to government at a subnational level, such as a regional, local, or state level. Devolution can be mainly financial, e.g. giving areas a budget which was formerly administered by central government...
Scottish Government. The position was created in 1999, with the advent of devolution and the institution of the Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
, taking over some of the roles and functions of the former Scottish Office
Scottish Office
The Scottish Office was a department of the United Kingdom Government from 1885 until 1999, exercising a wide range of government functions in relation to Scotland under the control of the Secretary of State for Scotland...
that existed prior to 1999.
Description
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Allan WilsonAllan Wilson (Scottish politician)
Allan Wilson is a former Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament. He represented Cunninghame North, a seat which he held between the inaugural Scottish Parliament general election in 1999 until 2007....
) is responsible to the First Minister (Jack McConnell
Jack McConnell
Jack Wilson McConnell, Baron McConnell of Glenscorrodale is a British Labour life peer in the House of Lords. He was third First Minister of Scotland from 2001 to 2007, making him the longest serving First Minister in the history of the Scottish Parliament...
) and assists the Enterprise Minister, (Nicol Stephen
Nicol Stephen
Nicol Ross Stephen, Baron Stephen of Lower Deeside in the City of Aberdeen is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South, and was leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008...
) in the performance of his duties and fulfils the function of the Enterprise Minister in his absence.
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning is responsible for economy, business and industry including Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise is a sponsored non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government which encourages economic development, enterprise, innovation and investment in business...
, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is the Scottish Government's economic and community development agency for a diverse region which covers more than half of Scotland and is home to around 450,000 people....
, trade and inward investment, further and higher education, science, corporate social responsibility, community business and co-operative development, European Structural Funds, energy, lifelong learning, training and skills.
Areas of responsibility
- Enterprise/Business
- Energy - Markets, BETTA, Oil/Gas, Consents, Nuclear
- Enterprise Networks (Sen and HIE)
- Innovation
- Regional Selective Assistance
- Drinks Industry
- Construction Industry
- Retail Industry
- All other industries
- Post Offices
- Defence - Regiments
- European Structural Funds - general
- Future of ESF
- Union liaison (STUC)
- DTI Department of Trade and Industry and trade body liaison
- PACE and redundancies
- Economic statistics/analysis
- Personal Bankruptcy and Diligence (Official support will be provided by Justice Department)
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Community Business and Co-operative
- Lifelong Learning
- Determined to Succeed - schools enterprise
- SUfI and Learn Direct Scotland
- Lifelong Learning Strategy
- Adult literacy and numeracy
- Skills
- Beattie Implementation
- Training Policy
- Business Learning Accounts
- Modern Apprenticeships
- Welfare to Work
Enterprise
To work with the Enterprise Networks to help deliver the enterprise strategy.As part of its commitment to fostering long-term, sustainable economic growth in Scotland, the Executive works with the Enterprise Networks to help deliver the enterprise strategy aimed at creating a smart, successful Scotland.
Enterprise Networks
To foster long-term, sustainable economic growth in Scotland.The Executive is committed to fostering long-term, sustainable economic growth in Scotland. Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are the key economic development agencies in Scotland.
The Executive's document "A Smart, Successful Scotland" gives them their strategic direction.
At the local level Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and islands Enterprise operate through a network of Local Enterprise Companies (LECs). There are 12 in the Scottish Enterprise area and 10 in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area.
Business in the Parliament
To work in partnership with business and establish an Annual Business Forum.The Partnership Agreement commits the Scottish Government to work in partnership with business and establish an Annual Business Forum to develop ideas and maximise the drivers for growth.
The Executive jointly hosted a business conference with the Scottish Parliament on 22 and 23 April 2004.
The aim of this unique partnership event between the Executive and the Parliament was to engage Scottish business in continuing to grow Scotland's economy.
The Executive has considered the main issues raised at the Conference and in September 2004 produced a formal response to each of these issues. In July 2005, an updated response was published, to show policy development and implementation progress.
Convention of the Highlands and Islands
The Convention is a meeting between the Executive and its main partner agencies, represented by the Chairperson of each organisation.It is currently held twice yearly, and is hosted by a different local authority each time with the location alternating between a mainland and an island.
The Convention is intended to strengthen co-ordination between member organisations, the Executive and other representative bodies to better inform the development and realisation of strategic economic, environmental, cultural and social justice objectives.
The Convention is unique to the Highlands and Islands because the level of remoteness, rurality and sparseness of population here is not mirrored elsewhere in Scotland.
It recognises the diversity and differing needs of Highland and Islands communities, and the distinct nature of the challenges and opportunities that exist in the area. The Convention's focus will be on delivering these strategic objectives to the long-term benefit of the people of the Highlands and Islands, and Scotland.
The Convention is held in a different location once every six months.
Education and Training
To ensure that everybody has access to learning opportunities that can help them achieve their full potential - giving children and young people the best possible start in life as they move from school to university and college or into the workforce, ensuring employability and adaptability throughout life.Work based training
To provide Work-based training opportunities designed to improve individual's skills and qualifications for work.Lifelong learning and post-school transition
To provide strategic policy direction to all stakeholders in Scotland and sets out the Executive's policies and targets for five years.Social work and social care
To ensure social work and care support services are adequate for the 21st century.See also
- Politics of ScotlandPolitics of ScotlandThe Politics of Scotland forms a distinctive part of the wider politics of Europe.Theoretically, the United Kingdom is de jure a "unitary state" with one sovereign parliament and government...