A new report has highlighted the central role Scotland’s universities can play in developing the skills, talent and partnerships needed for the jobs of the future.

 

Future Jobs Scotland, published by Universities Scotland, sets out how universities, government and employers can build on existing good practice to respond to changing workforce needs and create opportunities for students and graduates. 

 

Developed following engagement with employers and businesses, the report identifies three key themes: strong demand for graduates who are ready for the world of work; the significant pace of technological and labour-market change; and the importance of strong partnerships between universities and employers. Find out how University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is supporting the three key themes in our case studies below. 

 

It also forms part of the wider Future Framework work, undertaken jointly by Universities Scotland and the Scottish Government, to consider the long-term future of Scotland’s university sector. 

 

Professor James Miller, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of UWS and Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “Scotland’s universities and businesses, in the UK and internationally, have a long and successful history of working together to drive innovation, skills and economic growth. Future Jobs Scotland is about taking that partnership to the next level - aligning talent, education and industry needs to create more opportunities for students and graduates while delivering lasting economic benefits for Scotland. This is just the start of a deeper conversation with employers about the skills and workforce our economy will need over the next 25 years.” 

 

This is just the start of a deeper conversation with employers about the skills and workforce our economy will need over the next 25 years.

Professor James Miller, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of UWS and Convener of Universities Scotland

 

Strong demand for graduates: how UWS prepares students for the world of work 

 

UWS works closely with employers and strategic partners to ensure students can develop and apply the knowledge, skills and experience they need in their careers. 

 

Our first in Scotland Social Work Graduate Apprenticeship programme is opening up social work as a profession to those unable to leave employment to study through traditional routes. Widening the route into frontline roles during a time of significant national vacancies. For staff with family and financial commitments, studying whilst remaining in employment offers a new opportunity to progress their careers by undertaking a fully funded degree. For employers, developing future social workers from existing workforces allows them to retain experienced staff who understand their organisational culture and communities.  

 

Learning is rooted in real-world practice, allowing students to apply theory and policy in their daily roles. The programme balances on-campus activity with hybrid learning to support students across urban and rural Scotland. From a pilot cohort of 26 students and five partner organisations, including Kibble and local authorities spanning from Argyll & Bute to Renfrewshire - it has expanded in its second year to 34 students and seven partners – including commitments from local authorities to support additional apprentices in the coming years. 

 

Significant pace of technological and labour-market change: how UWS is responding to changing skills needs 

 

The skills employers require are being transformed by rapid developments in technology, creating new types of work and skills gaps.  

 

UWS is responding through teaching, professional development and opportunities for people already in the workforce to develop new skills throughout their careers. 

 

The UWS-NCL Undergraduate School was launched in partnership with New College Lanarkshire to respond to clear regional skills challenges. Informed by partnership work with Skills Development Scotland and North Lanarkshire Council, the Undergraduate School seeks to deliver higher education in areas without a physical university campus.  

 

The result was six new degree programmes, such as BSc Dental Nursing and BSc Collaborative Health and Social Care, that would lead to employment opportunities. More than 170 enrolled in that first year versus a target intake of 50 – with 40% from SIMD20 backgrounds and 75% having progressed or successfully completed. The latest full academic year (2025/26) saw an expanded portfolio of 11 programmes with 450 new and continuing students in North Lanarkshire.  

 

Such success reflects the relevance of the initiative as it seeks improve access to university-level education and strengthen relationships with local employers to ensure learning is relevant and practical. All whilst helping students study closer to home – key to those with family commitments, caring responsibilities or facing travel barriers.  

 

Importance of partnerships: how UWS works with employers to deliver impact 

 

Beyond educating students, universities offer a plethora of support to businesses and organisations, helping them develop and innovate, boosting productivity and economic growth. This can be achieved through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), a three-way collaboration between a business, a university and a qualified graduate to solve a specific innovation challenge.  

 

The KTPs between UWS and Lochlie Construction Group are transforming the business while generating wider economic, innovation and skills benefits. Through these partnerships, UWS has supported Lochlie in strengthening its leadership, strategic planning and workforce engagement capabilities, while accelerating growth and diversification into areas such as renewable energy services.  

 

The business achieved more than £10 million in annual turnover a year ahead of schedule, expanded its workforce from 38 to more than 70 employees and has gained recognition through multiple industry awards. The partnerships have also created valuable opportunities for research, knowledge exchange and curriculum development, demonstrating the mutual benefits of a deeply embedded, practitioner-focused university-business collaboration. 

 

Following the successful completion of the first KTP in 2023, Lochlie further engaged with UWS through the Help to Grow programme. A second, AI-focused KTP commenced in October 2025 and is already delivering significant business impact through the adoption of data-driven and intelligent business practices. Beyond Lochlie, the project has acted as a catalyst for wider business engagement, helping stimulate a growing pipeline of KTPs with local companies focused on digital transformation, artificial intelligence adoption and workforce upskilling across the region. 

 

Read Future Jobs Scotland on the Universities Scotland website. 

 

This report aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 17: Revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development