Employability Policy Timeline
Following the devolution of employability services in 2016....
2014 / 2015
November 2014 - The Smith Agreement published
The Smith Agreement outlines the new powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
2015 / 2016
March 2016 - Creating a Fairer Scotland: A New Future for Employability Support in Scotland published
Creating a Fairer Scotland: A New Future for Employability Support in Scotland sets out the Scottish Governments vision and values for Scotland's devolved employability services.
Creating a Fairer Scotland: A New Future for Employability Support in Scotland
2016 / 2017
May 2016 - The Scotland Act 2016 published
The Scotland Act 2016 sets out amendments to The Scotland Act 1998, devolving further powers to the Scottish Parliament.
2017 / 2018
December 2017 - 2017 Child Poverty Scotland Act published
The Child Poverty Act is legislation that sets out the statutory targets to eradicate child poverty in Scotland by 2030.
2017 Child Poverty Scotland Act
March 2018 - No One Left Behind: Next Steps for the Integration and Alignment of Employability Support in Scotland published
No One Left Behind: Next Steps for the Integration and Alignment of Employability Support in Scotland sets out the next steps in delivering more effective and joined-up employability support across Scotland.
No One Left Behind: Next steps for employability support
2018 / 2019
April 2018 - Fair Start Scotland launched
Fair Start Scotland was the first fully devolved employability service, delivered across nine geographical areas intended to align with specific local labour markets.
December 2018 - No One Left Behind: Review of Employability Services
No One Left Behind: Review of Employability Services
No One Left Behind: Review of employability services...
December 2018 - Partnership Working Agreement signed
The Partnership Working Agreement...
2019 / 2020
April 2019 - Introduction of No One Left Behind Approach
No One Left Behind...
February 2020 - Parental Employability Support launched
Parental Employability Support...
February 2020 - Scottish And Local Government - Employability Action Plan published
Scottish and Local Government - Employability Action Plan
The Scottish and Local Government Employability Action Plan...
2020 / 2021
November 2020 - No One Left Behind Delivery Plan published
No One Left Behind Delivery Plan
The No One Left Behind Delivery Plan...
November 2020 - Young Person’s Guarantee launched
The Young Persons Guarantee...
2021 / 2022
March 2022 - Best Start, Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-26 published
Best Start, Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan
The Best Start Bright Futures Delivery Plan sets out...
2022 / 2023
2023 / 2024
April 2023 - Funding for Employability Child Poverty Coordinators made available to local authorities
Child Poverty Coordinators...
June 2023 - Verity House Agreement reached by COSLA and the Scottish Government
The Verity House Agreement...
March 2024 - Fair Start Scotland closes to new referrals
Fair Start Scotland was delivered...
2024 / 2025
September 2024 - Publication of the No One Left Behind: Employability Strategic Plan 2024-2027
No One Left Behind: Employability Strategic Plan 2024 to 2027
The No One Left Behind Employability Strategic Plan sets out...
July 2025 - Specialist Employability Support launched
Specialist Employability Support...
2025 / 2026
December 2025 - No One Left Behind: Strategic Plan - first annual report published
No One Left Behind: Annual Report
The No One Left Behind Annual Report...
December 2025 - Local Employability Partnership (LEP) Framework and Good Practice Guidance published
The LEP Framework...
Related pages
No One Left Behind – Overview
No One Left Behind helps people of all ages to gain skills and build confidence. Click here to find out more.
Local Authority Employability Services
Find out key contact details, local services, case studies, employability related information and more.