Good Governance and Civil Society
Education and Vocational
Training
Programme & Project Management
Business Development
Management Training
Our consultants and trainers have a broad range of experience in training both public and private sector managers in the UK and in the international project environment with particular emphasis in the following areas :
SME development
We have expertise in all areas of SME training and support . An essential part of this has been the creation of sustainable SME structures including business incubators and support agencies .
Tourism and hospitality industries
The importance of the promotion of tourism and the associated hospitality industries as an alternative source of employment in societies with declining traditional manufacturing industries is well recognised. Drawing on the Scottish experience, Scottish Overseas and TAS International have developed this as a specialist area of activity over a period of more than 14 years. The project team encompasses specialist trainers in tourism and the hospitality industries who have had many years of practical experience as managers within the industry.
Consultancy, training and project management for the tourism and hospitality industries have been carried out in Eastern Europe in the following areas :
Economic Regeneration and Employment Creation
Scottish Overseas Development has considerable experience in implementing economic and social regeneration projects in areas of extreme economic and social deprivation . While promoting diversification of the local economy is an important part of the strategy, economic regeneration is intrinsically linked to social inclusion and employment issues. The experience of addressing long-term unemployment in Scotland has led not only to the development of strategies for job creation but also to initiatives promoting employability and improved attitudes towards entrepreneurship and to integrating multiple disadvantaged groups into employment. We have successfully built on this experience and programmes such as Enterprise in Education have been successfully adapted and implemented for schools and colleges in Russia as part of a major Tacis project for the regeneration of monocompany towns.
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Good Governance and Civil Society
The contribution of a strong and sustainable NGO sector to the development of democratic society is well recognised. Promoting the acceptance by local and national government of the constructive role which a strong NGO sector can offer demands a considerable degree of attitudinal change.
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Social Development
Scottish Overseas has considerable experience in the development of Social Partnership both in Scotland and Eastern Europe. NGOs can fulfil an important role in providing services and social welfare support for which local government lacks the capacity and resources to operate. We have provided training both in contracting and procurement skills and in social service delivery.
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Educational and Vocational Training
We have particular expertise in the development of Vocational Educational establishments and curricula to meet the changing needs of the modern economy. The problem of vocational schools whose curricula was designed to meet specific industrial demands which are no longer required is well understood. The linking of changes in vocational education and training to employment strategies demands a holistic approach and an ability to develop partnerships between institutions and local and national government. To ensure delivery institutional and capacity building is an essential part of the strategy.
Moreover, the relationship between lifelong learning and social inclusion strategies has been well recognised in Scotland. The aim of the lifelong learning programme has been defined by the Scottish Executive as a “A Scotland where people have the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to participate in economic and social life.” Through specific programmes of access to education, disadvantaged groups can be integrated into employment .
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Programme and Project Management
Scottish Overseas Development has the capacity to lead consortia in tenders for large projects but we are also happy to participate in bids led by others. We also have the capacity to provide assistance in bid preparation including writing tenders for projects in which we do not intend to participate.
We are also able to offer services within the area of project development and management. Our capacity in project management includes :