Commenting after FMQs, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said “Today Audit Scotland published their report on the Government’s progress with reform of post-school education and skills. It is damning. 

“Every year that passes, more pupils leave school without the opportunities they deserve.

“It’s time for this SNP government to get its act together.

“Our young people are the future of our country so they must be supported to achieve their ambitions.

“That means no one right path after school – be it university, college, apprenticeship or work.

“But that is not the reality under this SNP Government.

“Shockingly Scotland has one of the highest rates of young people not in work, education or training – as many as 1 in 6.

“If we are serious about ensuring every young person has the chance to succeed then the system has to change.

“Every young person who is qualified for an apprenticeship should have the guarantee of being able to access one.

“It shouldn’t be so hard for Scotland’s young people to get on, but this is a problem of the SNP’s own making.

“In this Armed Forces Week, the SNP should commit to matching the UK Labour Government’s funding commitment to create two defence technical excellence colleges in Scotland.

“We need to get serious about delivering a modern skills system that meets the needs of Scotland’s young people.

“The SNP needs to stop hiding behind process, focus on delivery and match young people’s ambition with some of their own.”

Notes

• 1 in 6 young people in Scotland are not in work, education or training: https://www.pwc.co.uk/economic-services/assets/youth-employment-index-2025.pdf
• The SNP government has cut 20% from college budgets in real terms over the last 5 years: https://auditscotland-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/slow-progress-in-reforming-post-school-education-and-skills
• In 2025/26 apprenticeship starts fell below 25,000 – the lowest number for over a decade excluding the pandemic: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/statistics/modern-apprenticeships
• According to the Open University over half of Scottish employers have a skills shortage: https://info1.open.ac.uk/REPORT-Business-Barometer-2026.pdf