Universities 'should' develop skills for employability

The nation's universities should ensure that students are taught skills to make them employable, it has been claimed.

According to comments made by Fiona Hyslop, secretary for education and lifelong learning, students should be capable of hitting "the ground running".

In addition to her cabinet position, Ms Kyslop is also a member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothians.

"I would like to challenge our universities further to consider the impact of their provision on students' employability," said Ms Hyslop.

"In the past it has been possible for some students to pass through university successfully and only begin to develop their employability skills once they move into the world of work. This is no longer possible or desirable," she added.

The comments were made by Ms Hyslop at a Skills for Scotland event held at Napier University.