Job-Related Training in Scotland: January to December 2022

Industry of Employment

Public/Private/Third Sector

Since 2009, people who work in the private sector have been less likely to participate in job-related training than those in the public or third sector.

In 2022, an estimated:

• 336,100 (20.8 per cent) people employed in the private sector
• 244,500 (34.6 per cent) people employed in the public sector
• 36,700 (40.0 per cent) people employed in the third sector

participated in job-related training.

The propotion of people in employment participating in job-related training in 2022 was higher than in 2021 for all sectors. It rose from 19.9 per cent to 20.8 per cent in the private sector, from 30.9 per cent to 34.6 per cent in the public sector and from 29.5 per cent to 40.0 per cent in the third sector. The changes over the year for the public sector and third sector represent statistically significant changes.

Chart 6: Proportion of people in employment (16-64) who participated in job-related training in last 3 months by Public, Private and Third sector, Scotland, 2009 to 2022

Source: Annual Population Survey, January to December, ONS

Employer Size

The proportion of people in employment participating in job-related training was higher for those who worked for large-sized employers compared to those who worked for small-sized employers.

For these estimates, a small-sized employer has been defined as having below 50 employees at workplace, a medium-sized employer as having between 50 to 250 employees at workplace and a large-sized employer as having over 250 employees at workplace.

Employer size is self-reported and may not be consistent with estimates of employer size reported from business sources.

In 2022, an estimated:

• 242,300 (24.4 per cent) people who worked for small-sized employers
• 136,200 (27.9 per cent) people who worked for medium-sized employers
• 170,400 (30.0 per cent) people who worked for large-sized employers

participated in job-related training.

The proportion of people in employment participating in job-related training in 2022 was higher than in 2021 for all sized employers. It rose from 22.7 per cent to 24.4 per cent for those who worked for small-sized employers, from 25.5 per cent to 27.9 per cent for those who worked for medium-sized employers and 28.3 per cent to 30.0 per cent for those who worked for large-sized employers.

Chart 7: Proportion of people in employment (16-64) who participated in job-related training in last 3 months by employer size, Scotland, 2007 to 2022

Source: Annual Population Survey, January to December, ONS

Industry

The proportion of people in employment who participate in job-related training varies by industry.

In 2022, the industries with the highest proportion of people in employment participating in job-related training were Health and social work (40.0 per cent), Public admin and defence (32.7 per cent) and Education (30.9 per cent).

In 2022, the industries with the lowest proportion of people in employment participating in job-related training were Agriculture, foresty and fishing (11.7 per cent); Other service activities and Accommodation and food services (both 14.5 per cent).

The estimate for Agriculture, foresty and fishing is based on a small sample size. Therefore, this estimate should be used with caution.

Chart 8: Proportion of people in employment (16-64) who participated in job-related training in last 3 months by industry, Scotland, 2022

Source: Annual Population Survey, January to December 2022, ONS
Note: Estimates with a grey background are based on a small sample size. This may result in less precise estimates, which should be used with caution.

Type of Training

Type of training analysis shows those who participated in job-related training in the last four weeks and described the training offered by their employer as ‘on the job’, ‘away from the job’ or ‘both’.

‘On the job training’ means learning by example and practice while actually doing the job. Any training conducted in a classroom or training section, even if on the employers premises is not ‘on the job training’.

Since 2007, the proportion of training that occurs ‘on the job’ has increased. Whilst the proportion of training away from the job has decreased. The proportion who participate in both types of training has stayed fairly constant.

In 2022, most people in employment who reported participating in job-related training in the last four weeks, participated in ‘on the job’ training (54.7 per cent), 26.6 per cent trained away from their job and 18.7 per cent did both.

‘On the job’ training peaked in 2021 (58.1 per cent) with an estimated 196,700 people in employment participating in ‘on the job’ training in the last four weeks.

Further information is provided, in the ONS Labour Force Survey, for those in employment who undertook job-related training in the last 4 week. It was reported that training was funded: by employer, training was free or training was self funded by self, family or relative. It was reported that the location of training was: at home (via Open University or similar correspondence course), on premises belonging to your employer, other location including college and private training centre.

Chart 9: Proportion of people in employment (16-64) who participated in job-related training in last four weeks by training type, Scotland, 2007 to 2022

Source: Annual Population Survey, January to December 2022, ONS