Jenny Gilruth has discovered how Scotland’s national advice service is helping to upskill the country’s workforce through a new training initiative.
The Education and Skills Secretary visited Advice Direct Scotland’s headquarters in Glasgow today [THURS] to hear more about and formally launch its academy.scot service.
Through the new training academy, Advice Direct Scotland uses its expertise to deliver Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)-approved courses, including the first bespoke money and debt training to receive SQA recognition.
Workers from charity One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) are already using skills they learned at the academy to support people across the country.
The academy also offers approved courses in customer service, management, energy, employability, business and administration, and advice and guidance.
Its aim is to upskill Scotland’s workforce, positioning the country as a leader in these areas. Tailored training and qualifications are provided to meet the needs of companies of all sizes.
Courses offer flexible learning options, guidance from mentors, and clear opportunities for advancement.
The academy draws on Advice Direct Scotland’s experience in offering consumer support through various channels, including energyadvice.scot, consumeradvice.scot, moneyadvice.scot, and taxadvice.scot.
The charity handles more than 900,000 customer contacts each year, providing free, impartial advice to everyone in Scotland, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Ms Gilruth was welcomed to Advice Direct Scotland by the charity’s chief executive Andrew Bartlett and deputy chief executive Pamela Stewart.
She also met team members from OPFS who have completed the money and debt advice custom award (SCQF Level 7). This qualification equips them to provide better support to the parents they assist.
By offering access to free debt advice, Advice Direct Scotland aims to ensure that households can manage their debts more effectively, armed with quality information.
Ten people from OPFS have completed the money and debt advice custom award, and an additional six have now enrolled in the advice and guidance course.
The academy also offers a bespoke qualification focused on energy advice, support, and sustainability which is available to charities and other organisations outside the third sector.
Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said:
“Working with partners such as Advice Direct Scotland is crucial as the Scottish Government takes forward reforms to the skills system that will maximise the potential of Scotland’s workforce in the future years ahead.
“Academy.scot is great example of this, and I have no doubt that training initiatives such as this will help make sure that the system is responsive to both regional and national skills needs.”
Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said:
“We are all excited about the formal launch of academy.scot and the opportunities it brings to upskill Scotland’s workforce, and were delighted to welcome the Education Secretary to our headquarters.
“Our aim is to provide tailored training that meets the diverse needs of our communities, enabling individuals and organisations to thrive.
“The money and debt advice courses we offer not only equip staff with essential skills but also ensure that they can provide better support to those who need it most.
“As we expand our qualifications, we are committed to making a positive difference across various sectors, enhancing the quality of advice and support available to families and individuals throughout Scotland.”
Carrol Wilcox, training and wellbeing manager at One Parent Families Scotland, said:
“From my first to Advice Direct Scotland, I have been overwhelmingly impressed with the service.
“The office is clearly a space where Advice Direct Scotland colleagues feel valued and supported.
“The training is now under way and the feedback from OPFS colleagues has been extremely positive. The skills learned will not only benefit the parents we support, but our staff have commented that they will also help on a personal level.
“This is an amazing organisation and I would highly recommend their training packages.”
