29 May 2026
Scottish Careers Collaborative explores work experience reform
The Scottish Careers Collaborative held its thematic session in Glasgow on Tuesday 26 May 2026, bringing together national stakeholders to explore how work experience in Scotland can be strengthened across education and employment systems.
The session was structured around the evidence paper ‘Exploring Work Experience in Scotland’ and focused on improving coherence, equity and quality across the Experiential Careers Learning (ECL) spectrum, from early employer engagement through to structured placements.
Employer engagement was a central theme of both the evidence base and the live discussion. Participants reflected on the continued strength of employer willingness to contribute, alongside persistent system-level friction, including coordination burden, insurance constraints, and inconsistent feedback loops. The discussion reinforced the need to recognise employers as co-investors in the system, contributing time, supervision, infrastructure and, in some cases, paid opportunities, often without formal recognition in policy frameworks.
Uuganaa Ramsay, CDI Scotland Associate, attended and emphasised the importance of professionalism in working across partners, particularly in preparing learners, clients, and employers for meaningful engagement with work experience. This approach was highlighted as closely aligned with the CDI’s 2030 Strategy.
The session concluded with a synthesis discussion, reaffirming the need for collective action rather than isolated improvement. Members were encouraged to identify practical next steps within their own remits, alongside system-level changes requiring joint advocacy through the Scottish Careers Collaborative.
The next meeting will take place online at the end of June 2026, focusing on workforce development. The CDI will play a key role through contributions or presentations to the discussion.
The session was structured around the evidence paper ‘Exploring Work Experience in Scotland’ and focused on improving coherence, equity and quality across the Experiential Careers Learning (ECL) spectrum, from early employer engagement through to structured placements.
Employer engagement was a central theme of both the evidence base and the live discussion. Participants reflected on the continued strength of employer willingness to contribute, alongside persistent system-level friction, including coordination burden, insurance constraints, and inconsistent feedback loops. The discussion reinforced the need to recognise employers as co-investors in the system, contributing time, supervision, infrastructure and, in some cases, paid opportunities, often without formal recognition in policy frameworks.
Uuganaa Ramsay, CDI Scotland Associate, attended and emphasised the importance of professionalism in working across partners, particularly in preparing learners, clients, and employers for meaningful engagement with work experience. This approach was highlighted as closely aligned with the CDI’s 2030 Strategy.
The session concluded with a synthesis discussion, reaffirming the need for collective action rather than isolated improvement. Members were encouraged to identify practical next steps within their own remits, alongside system-level changes requiring joint advocacy through the Scottish Careers Collaborative.
The next meeting will take place online at the end of June 2026, focusing on workforce development. The CDI will play a key role through contributions or presentations to the discussion.
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