It is increasingly accepted that improvements in productivity, competitiveness andsocial well-being depend not only on boosting skills supply but also ensuring thatskills are utilised effectively inside the workplace. Skills utilisation is a relatively newpolicy area, however, and the evidence base upon which to formulate and developnew policy interventions is limited. In the UK, Scotland is leading the way on thisagenda. This paper reports on the findings from a mid-term evaluation of the ScottishFunding Council’s programme of ‘action research’ projects, which are aimed atexploring the potential contribution of universities and colleges to improved skillsutilisation in the workplace. The evaluation finds some initial empirical evidence forestablishing proof of concept, but also identifies challenges in relation to capacitybuilding and sustainability. The potential exists, it is argued, for the programme tocontribute to a broader approach to skills and innovation policy in Scotland.
