Sponsors

 
Principal Partners
 
BRODIES
Brodies
Brodies LLP offers expert legal advice across core business areas of corporate and commercial, property, litigation, banking and financial services, employment and trust and tax. Rated 'No. 1' in eleven key practice areas by the leading independent legal directories, Brodies is the largest commercial law firm based solely in Scotland and a market leader in terms of quality client service and commitment to innovation, highly ranked lawyers, focus on key sectors, and sustained growth and investment. For further information visit www.brodies.com
 
 
 
BT SCOTLAND

BT Scotland is at the heart of innovative and exciting communications for all of Scotland. Our activities place Scotland’s people at the forefront of worldwide communication. Our networks, products and services are changing the way we live - at home, at work, in health, education, government and the community. Our customers can communicate anywhere, any time, using whatever device they choose.

 

More than a million people in Scotland use our broadband network, covering 99 per cent of the population.

Speeds of up to 8Mb are possible at most of our broadband exchanges today, with increases to up to 24Mb to come as part of BT’s 21CN programme. BT is driving the growth of the competitive market, being the only nationwide company making its network available to others on a wholesale basis for others to provide services to customers.

We have plans for fibre-based, super-fast broadband to up to 10 million UK homes by 2012. The 1.5 billion pound programme will deliver a range of services with top speeds of up to 100Mb with the potential for future speeds of more than 1,000Mb. In addition, copper-based ADSL2+ will deliver nationwide speeds of up to 24Mb. Recent tests show the majority of ADSL2+ customers should enjoy speeds of around 10Mb or above with many enjoying substantially higher rates.

We’re a leader in corporate responsibility, using technology to benefit the environment and fighting digital exclusion through links with education, charities and businesses.

We see information and communication technology as the key to unlocking our potential as a nation, improving prosperity and quality of life for all.

BT in Scotland will continue to develop and deliver networks and services nationwide to shape a better, brighter future for generations to come.

For further information visit www.bt.com

 
 
 
DETERMINED TO SUCCEED

Enterprise and Employability for Young People, Scottish Government

Developing enterprise and employability skills in our young people helps them to develop a ‘can do, will do’ attitude and become creative, confident and motivated.  It’s about making them ambitious, excited about learning and better prepared for life and work.  Support from you is essential - you have the people and skills to pass on knowledge to make our young people work ready. Committing your time and effort will give a young person a real and meaningful life chance and future. 

There are many business benefits to be gained from working with young people - your employees can develop areas such as commercial awareness, team working, presentation skills, as well as broad interpersonal skills.  By getting involved you are giving young people the skills and drive needed to create a nation of individuals ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century and who will help Scotland to prosper. 

Get in touch to find out more. Visit www.determinedtosucceed.co.uk or phone 0300 244 6707 or email: employer@determinedtosucceed.co.uk.

 
 
 
ENVIROWISE
Environwise
Envirowise is a Scottish Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of Scottish business practice. Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to increase profit and improve their processes and competitiveness. Contact the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794 or register at www.envirowise.gov.uk/scotland for further information.
 
 
 
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
The Open University is the UK's largest university and the world leader in distance education. More than 229,000 Open University students in over 40 countries are studying for a variety of degrees and vocational qualifications ranging from short courses to PhDs. Using the latest in new technologies, OU supported open learning provides people of all ages and backgrounds with the flexibility they need to upskill and reskill. Open University study is also a top choice for employers - 70% of FTSE 100 companies have supported their staff to study with the OU.  For more information visit  www.open.ac.uk
 
 
 
ORACLE
Oracle
Oracle Corporation is the world's largest enterprise software company, providing database, middleware, and collaboration products; enterprise business applications; application development tools; and professional services that help customers collaborate, grow, measure outcomes, and report results with confidence. For more than 30 years, Oracle has led the industry through continuous innovation and a relentless focus on customer success. For more information visit www.oracle.com
 
 
 
SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main enterprise, innovation and investment agency. Working in partnership with industry, academia and the public sector, SE aims to help make Scotland a place where business can thrive and key industries can be competitive. Its focus is to help businesses grow, encourage greater innovation and create the right conditions for companies to access property, markets and finance to increase productivity and increase Scotland's ability to compete internationally. For more information www.scottish-enterprise.com.
 
 
 
SHELL U.K. LIMITED
Shell
Shell U.K. Limited is a leader in the UK sector of the North Sea, operating on behalf of Shell, Esso and other co-venturers. It employs directly and indirectly around 5000 in Scotland (circa 9000 in the UK) with about half of the Scottish total based at the Aberdeen headquarters of the Exploration and Production division. The company also operates gas plants at St. Fergus, near Peterhead, and at Bacton, in Norfolk, along with the Mossmorran NGL (natural gas liquids) plant in Fife. Offshore, the company has interests in 56 oil and gas fields and is operator of 48 of those. For more information visit www.shell.co.uk
 
 
 
STRATHCLYDE PARTNERSHIP FOR TRANSPORT
SPT
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. SPT is the biggest transport partnership in Scotland and has a strategic duty to improve connections across Strathclyde, to develop the transport network and to change people's travel habits. A partnership organisation, it is made up of 12 constituent councils represented by elected local councillors on a board. SPT owns and runs the Glasgow Subway, used by 14 million passengers a year, and provides subsidised bus services where no commercial services exist. Every day we transport 47,000 pupils to and from school and are also responsible for bus stations, bus stops, travel centres, three major park and ride sites and other support infrastructure. SPT employs almost 700 people across the west of Scotland. For more information visit www.spt.co.uk
 
 
 
SQA
SQA
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is the national awarding and accreditation body in Scotland.

SQA works in partnership with schools, colleges, universities and industry to provide high quality, flexible and relevant qualifications and assessments - embedding industry standards where appropriate. We strive to ensure that SQA qualifications are inclusive, accessible to all, that they provide clear progression pathways, facilitate lifelong learning and recognise candidate achievement.
For more information visit www.sqa.org.uk
 
 
 
Associate Partners
 
Big Partnership     Dunning   Highland Spring  
Lumison
Skills Development Scotland