Scotland’s £26 million post-school education and skills reform programme is making slow progress and ‘lacks a clear delivery plan’, according to a public spending watchdog.
Inadequate resourcing, weaknesses in governance arrangements and unclear costs, impacts and outcomes were listed among ‘multiple risks’ to the implementation of the Scottish Government’s ‘post-school education and skills reform’ programme.
Audit Scotland – which scrutinises public finances and assesses public service value for money – said the government needs to make stronger links with its wider plans across economic transformation, climate change, education and skills.
It identified the post-school education and skills sector as ‘vital’ in helping people to achieve their ambitions and improve life chances, while helping meet the needs of a changing economy and society. But the sector faces significant financial and operational challenges, the auditor warned.
Legislation passed in March 2026 to simplify the funding body landscape is a significant milestone. But overall progress has been slow, with a general lack of direction, oversight and resourcing. This raises risks intended outcomes won’t be achieved.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “There’s a concerning gap between intent, planning and progress to deliver post-school education and skills reform. A lack of clarity on outcomes, insufficient skills and resourcing, gaps in governance, and uncertainty over the costs and benefits must be addressed.
“Successful reform on this scale demands understanding and engagement with all those impacted. The government needs to better communicate and work with learners, business and those working across the education and skills sector.”
The government’s PSESR programme aims to create a simpler system, more responsive to Scotland’s economic and social needs. The overall cost to deliver the programme is estimated at £26 million, but the total cost of delivering each of the five overarching reform projects is ‘unknown’ according to Audit Scotland.
The full report is available here.