A skills-focussed take on Scotland’s land-based strategy from our development officer Megan
The Scottish policy landscape has recently been awash with all things land-based. With consultations aplenty, what does this mean for nature-based skills, jobs and education? Let’s outline some of the potential impacts that recent proposals* may have in our sector.
This aims to take on the question of Scotland’s land-use by further ingraining the idea of ‘integrated landscapes’. It would allow for related policies to be better cross-referenced and for different landscape scales to be linked. Importantly, ‘the natural’ and ‘the human’ spheres of policy are interwoven. Lantra is pleased to see ‘Skills and Education’ as a Key Factor to integrated landscapes and ‘Jobs, Skills and Economy’ as a Key Theme in the overall strategy. Reference to the Commission for the Land-Based Learning Review too shows a commitment to evidence-based understanding of land-based skills.
The real challenge is, as ever, how to find the ‘best’ data to monitor jobs, skills and the economy. In the world of land-based industry, using Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes to monitor this, as the strategy proposes, risks hiding a whole world of nature-based skills. Land-based engineering for example might fall under the category of ‘construction’. And what of small, rural enterprises, many of which are run by women? We already know that the work of women is under accounted for and we worry using this alone as a baseline could further impact gender inequalities.
Land Use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan:
One of Lantra’s key objectives is to support Scotland’s move towards a just transition: as noted in this plan, actually doing so involves ‘working in or with our land-based industries’.
Here, we emphasised the role of education, specifically, outdoor learning. We know that outdoor learning is essential in bringing the next generation into the just transition and that there are key challenges in doing so. Whilst primary education achieves this relatively well, there are additional difficulties in secondary education including teachers being time-pressured to complete exam content, consistency of provision and resourcing. We need to think too about the potential loss of roles in land-based industries and how workers can be suitably re-skilled and supported. Schemes such as the Energy Skills Passport are piloting in the oil and gas industry with impacts yet to be seen – an interesting space to see develop.
Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research Strategy (ENRA):
The ENRA strategy sets out the multidisciplinary portfolio of research to be carried out from 2027-32 with consultation having taken place recently. Supported by Scotland’s key research institutions in this field, the strategy is ambitious and relatively extensive in its scope. As Sector Skills Council for the nature-based sector, Lantra of course always has an eye on skills. We would propose that skills gaps and training be granted an Area of Research in itself and question whether the structuring of the strategy predetermines the use of quantitative, always-measurable research methods. The strategy must capture the rich cultural and historical aspects of our landscapes to be successful and so qualitative and creative methods should be a core part of the strategy.
With these consultations being broad strategies and plans, as opposed to clear policies per se, there is little point in considering when exactly impacts will arise. These big ideas however set the tone for Scotland’s land use futures – and we need to be skilled to make sure it works.
*Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill, Natural Capital Markets Framework, (delayed…) Muirburn Licensing not included.