The responsibility of guiding the next generation of business leaders lies with us today. It is up to us – education providers, teachers, current business leaders, local authorities, the Government – to help give them the tools they need to spark their desire to become the leaders of tomorrow and help drive Scotland’s economy.
Therefore, I was utterly gobsmacked to learn that the Scottish Government has pulled its grant to Young Enterprise Scotland. This forms the majority of the charity’s income, leaving the organisation in a very precarious situation.
Not only taking into consideration the 31 jobs that might be lost, it’s unfathomable to think about the impact this shortsighted decision might have for Scotland’s children.
Just in the last year alone, Young Enterprise Scotland supported 18,000 children through its amazing programmes. These programmes account for thousands of hours of practical learning for both primary and secondary pupils – vital hours inspiring pupils and covering business topics that might just set them on their future career path. The Scottish Government is prepared to sit back and watch these hours be wiped from timetables.
There is of course always going to be losers when the Government has to make cutbacks, but how can it justify not investing in our future business leaders? How it can leave such an important organisation, one it has supported and worked closely with, out in the cold is baffling.
I have worked with Young Enterprise Scotland on a number of initiatives in the past and have seen first-hand how its courses can inspire youngsters to reach the top of the ladder. Not everyone has the same access and opportunities to make their ambitions a reality and YE Scotland helped to level the playing field.
About 15 years ago I was involved in one of its mentorship programmes and was absolutely blown away by some of the talented youngsters. They had the vision and the ambition, but just needed a guiding hand to help map out how to get there and hone the required skills.
I can’t tell you how many fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders I know of who would attribute YE Scotland with setting them on their career path. All are astounded by this decision.
I dread to think what happens next if Young Enterprise Scotland doesn’t secure funding from other sources. It is a huge mountain to climb to replace so much of its income.
When the courses are pulled and there’s holes in the timetables of schools across the country, who covers the shortfall? Are we expecting our already stretched teachers to fill this gap, or will it fall to businesses to mentor the next generation?
Could we lose out on future talent because they don’t have the right pathway to help set them on their career?
Labour MSP, Daniel Johnson, asked the Scottish Government to respond to reports that YE Scotland is facing closure due to the withdrawal of its support.
Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, answered by pushing the Scottish Government’s move to competitive funding for entrepreneurial education programmes, which she said was fairer and that funding decisions are made with effectiveness and desirable outcomes in mind.
Daniel Johnson quite rightly questioned how that could be the case as YE Scotland didn’t make it through this competitive process despite its obvious benefit to so many children right across Scotland.
Kate Forbes also said that £285,000 has been approved for the organisation to run two programmes until March 2025, programmes I might add that they had already rolled out from April this year in good faith and based on assurances that they would receive the funding.
It seems this might be enough to keep Young Enterprise Scotland going for now, but is it just a stay of execution until they need to compete for funding next year and don’t get it? The Scottish Government seems confident in whatever its chosen replacement is, but isn’t prepared to give more details away at this stage.
Given the amazing legacy Young Enterprise Scotland has had over the past 30 years, I can’t help being skeptical and untrusting of this government to give our young people the guiding hand they need.
Scottish healthtech shows its heartbeat
Scotland has long been home to groundbreaking innovation, and once again, one of its own tech ventures is making waves on the global stage. Edinburgh-based Novosound is pioneering the world’s first ultrasound-powered blood pressure monitor, marking a true milestone in wearable technology.
In the 1950s, Glasgow scientists gave the world ultrasound imaging, revolutionising diagnostics and healthcare forever. Today, Novosound carries that torch forward with a level of innovation reminiscent of Scotland’s formative role in ultrasound.
The company has miniaturised ultrasound for blood pressure monitoring, packing this powerful tool into devices as small as smartwatches. It’s a feat that puts them ahead of the game, addressing one of the world’s largest health issues: cardiovascular disease.
And its capabilities extend beyond monitoring blood pressure. The platform could be used for hydration tracking, muscle health assessment and gesture recognition, meaning in the not too distant future, tech like this could be a key, widely used diagnostic health tool much in the same way as ultrasound imaging is today.
The Scottish company will be showcasing its innovation at what is considered one of the top electronics and technology events in the world – CES 2025 in Las Vegas.
This breakthrough is a gleaming example of how small but significant players on the Scottish tech scene continue to shift the global landscape. We should celebrate that spirit and back it wholeheartedly. In a world that needs fresh solutions, Scotland is proving it still has what it takes to make a lasting impact.
It Made Me Laugh
Driven to give – and still shifting gears
Someone once told me that ideas are easy, it’s their execution that really separates the sheep from the goats – as Rosemary Stevenson MBE, aged 88, reminded me.
Rosemary has led a team of volunteers at Ballantrae Rural Initiative Care in the Community (BRICC) for more than 20 years, raising £1.5 million towards the cost of a care home for her village.
She is most often seen driving her 7.5-ton lorry to collect furniture from homes to sell at the BRICC shop and is on the last push to raise a further £500,000 to enable construction to begin.
Most people look to slow down and retire in their 60s but not Rosemary – what a shining example of how hard work and sheer determination can drive ideas to fruition.
It Made Me Weep
Energy promise unplugged
It was only in late September that Keir Starmer confirmed the head office of GB Energy was going to be in Aberdeen, with satellite offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
There was also the promise that there was opportunity for local talent to shine and lead the project.
In little over a month, the Government has dropped that promise, confirming that the chairman of the new operation will be based in Manchester.
It’s disappointing to see that renewable energy specialists in the North East of Scotland will be overshadowed by a chair more than 360 miles away, rather than someone who is on the ground leading the charge of what could be a huge project for Aberdeen.
