Capping subjects for short term gain might bring long term pain – O’Donnell (South Of Scotland Liberal Democrats)

South Of Scotland Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Capping subjects for short term gain might bring long term pain – O’Donnell

February 22, 2010 5:08 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting on news today that applications for university places in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Scotland will be capped, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Hugh O'Donnell said:

"Scotland needs a skilled work force to help our economy recover and to support sustainable growth in the future.

"Liberal Democrats have identified ways to regenerate Scotland's ports as hubs to develop offshore wind technology. But in order to achieve our world-leading potential in industries like this, Scotland needs to maintain its highly skilled workforce.

"We know that universities are struggling. Capping subjects that underpin these new sustainable industries might be a short term fix, but it could have long-term repercussions for our burgeoning industries that depend on a highly skilled and specialised workforce.

"We need to know if the Scottish Government or Universities Scotland spoke to industry leaders to find out what impact capping these courses would have before they made this decision and what the industry's response was."