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24 April 2025
The evolving needs of Scotland’s workforce is the focus of a conference being held in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow.
The brings together 成人快手 and almost 300 of Scotland’s leading business people, representing businesses across Scotland and major business associations.
The BIPC, a joint event between the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee and the Scottish Government, aims to foster engagement between businesses and politicians. Discussions will focus on the theme, Workforce for the Future.
Hosted by the Presiding Officer, the conference will feature speeches from the Convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee Colin Smyth MSP, the First Minister Rt Hon John Swinney MSP and the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP.
Delegates will participate in panel sessions covering issues such as green jobs to grow Scotland’s economy, the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce of tomorrow, and creating equitable and inclusive work environments for all future workers.
They will debate the issues in a question-and-answer session with a cross-party panel of 成人快手.
The guest keynote speaker of the event is Dr Hina Khan, Head of Commercial at Craft Prospect, a space engineering company based in Glasgow that specialises in making satellites smarter and more secure through innovative technologies. Previously the first Executive Director of Space Scotland, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the Scottish space sector, Dr Khan now leads a team that focuses on commercial opportunities with partners, customers and clients.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: "Engagement between the business community and the Parliament is vitally important.
"The Business in the Parliament Conference offers a unique platform for businesses to engage in candid discussions with 成人快手, committees and Scottish Government Ministers.
"I look forward to sharing ideas and views in this crucial dialogue."
Convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee, Colin Smyth MSP said: "It will be a pleasure to speak at the Business in Parliament Conference, now in its 16th year.
"This year’s event highlights the vital issues of fair work and upskilling to address future needs and drive Scotland's economic growth.
"I look forward to outlining the Committee’s recent and current work in these areas and how it links to a Workforce of the Future."
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney MSP said: "I’m delighted to have the opportunity to hear from and engage with so many Scottish businesses at this year’s Business in the Parliament Conference.
"It will be fantastic to be in the room and hear all of the great ideas about how we can continue to work together to realise the Scottish Government’s four interconnected priorities of growing the economy, eradicating child poverty, tackling the climate emergency and improving our public services.
"Over the next two days we’ll be exploring important themes around 'Workforce for the Future' and exchanging ideas of how we equip the people of Scotland with the right skills and opportunities to support Scottish businesses to reach their full potential."
The first BIPC was held in 2004 and was started by the Scottish Parliament’s then Enterprise and Culture Committee (now Economy and Fair Work Committee) with the aim of bringing the worlds of business and politics closer together.
That ethos of encouraging dialogue and greater understanding between the two communities remains at the heart of the event.
BIPC is jointly organised by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government with planning overseen by a Working Group of business organisations such as:
The main conference follows a networking dinner on Thursday evening.