By Kristy Dorsey
Industry leaders have welcomed recommendations to put start-up technology firms at the core of Scotland’s economic recovery plans.
Among the 34 proposals put forward by Mark Logan, former chief operating officer of Skyscanner, is a call for schools to put computing science on par with maths and physics. Mr Logan’s Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review says this should be taught with the “same focus” as other subjects from the first year of secondary school.
He also suggests incentives for universities to produce more home-grown software engineers, along with interventions to maximise the volume and success rate of spin-out companies. He further recommends the creation of a new network of hubs for tech start-ups, better access to funding opportunities and more software engineering courses for those looking to change careers.
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Mr Logan was commission in May by the Scottish Government to carry out a review of how the tech sector can contribute to the country’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said she looks forward to “outlining how we plan to take forward his ambitious recommendations”. The Government’s response will be included in the 2020-21 Programme for Government.
Entrepreneur Tom Hunter described it as a “compelling review”, adding that it has “the absolute support” of his charitable Hunter Foundation.
“My sincere hope is twofold – that industry coalesces support around delivering this review’s recommendations, and the Government provides the funds to realise them,” Mr Hunter said. “Our foundation in turn will now look to see how we can support that delivery and help ensure this doesn’t end up on a civil services shelf like so many reports before it.”
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ScotlandIS chief executive Jane Morrison-Ross said she was “delighted” to see the publication of the ecosystem review.
“I believe we need this innovative, national, strategic approach to create a tech permaculture that will help us put Scotland on the global map as a digital nation,” she said.
Mr Logan said: “I’m very excited by this close collaboration between the Scottish Government and our technology sector.
“The talent and ambition within the sector is the strongest I’ve seen in decades and creates enormous potential, not only in helping Scotland navigate this challenging period, but also in generating jobs and opportunity for our people well into the future.”
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