Seòmar agus comataidhean

“If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” I like that. Should I have heard that before? It sounds like something that could be made into a good strapline.

I like that as well. That is very good—very inclusive.

We can, indeed. It is nice to see and hear from you.

Katie Hutton is speaking, but we cannot hear her.

Good morning, and welcome to the 13th meeting in 2021 of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. The meeting is in a virtual setting.

The first item on our agenda is a decision on taking business in private. Are members content to take agenda item 3 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

You kindly sent us written evidence, and it was helpful to read it in preparing for this session. One recommendation that you have made in relation to apprenticeships in Scotland is that there needs to be a

“demand-led funding system, driven by employer demand”.

Is that recommendation based on a conclusion from evidence that you have gathered from your members that that is not the case currently? How do we create a demand-led funding system that is driven by employer demand? What changes would you like to be made?

Is it fair to say that that is pretty much the system in England, where, in effect, employers have access to the money to spend on apprenticeships?

I think that Katie Hutton wanted to come in on that line of questioning.

It would be bottom up rather than top down. Is that a fair comment?

Absolutely.

Karen Watt, the chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council, would like to come in on that point. I will then turn to my colleague Willie Rennie.