Jobs at SDS
For details about job opportunities or information about working for SDS, please use the links below.
Help us achieve our vision for Scotland
We aim to be an employer of choice with dynamic roles and plenty of ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Our website aims to offer equal access to services and information and functionality to all visitors. For more information please visit our Accessibility page.
We're an inclusive place to work
At SDS we're ambitious about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. If you've got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you.
We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of *age, disability, race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief.
* In order to support the government’s initiative on youth employment, certain young talent recruitment programmes require candidates to be aged 24 or younger. We'll be flexible on age criteria for applicants who identify as care experienced or disabled; in which case candidates must be 29 or younger.
SDS Values
Our five-year plan includes an ambition to achieve a culture of everyday leadership which includes having a values-based culture to which every colleague shares a commitment.
Values are basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate our attitudes or actions. They help us determine what's important to us. Values describe the personal qualities we choose to guide our actions; the sort of person we want to be; how we treat others and ourselves and how we interact with the world around us.
Our organisational values are created by our colleagues and are the compass that guide our behaviours and actions with our customers and each other.
Hybrid working
We are currently piloting a Hybrid working model where the expectation is that employees work from an SDS workplace 2 days per week with the remainder working from home.
Benefits
SDS is an award-winning equal opportunities and fair work employer. Our values and culture are owned and driven by our colleagues and show our commitment to our customers - the people of Scotland. We prioritise employee engagement, wellbeing and development, making us a great place to work.
Joining us you would enjoy the following benefits:
Financial Benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme - career average revalued earnings scheme with a generous employer contribution offering you a: Secure Pension, Flexibility to pay more or less contributions, Tax-free cash and life assurance to ensure those around you have some protection
- Professional Membership Fees
- Interest-free rail season ticket loans
- Opportunity to join one of our Credit Union partners
- A wide range of exclusive discounts, savings and cash back benefits from a range of high street retailers and online shops
- SDS recognised employer for Costco Memberships
- Historic Scotland Annual Membership discount
Health, safety and wellbeing
- Seasonal Flu Vaccination – reimbursed if employees are not medically eligible
- Eye tests and claims for eyewear
- A range of wellbeing resources to help keep you healthy and well at work and in your home life
- Cycle 2 Work scheme
- Active forums and Yammer communities across a range of topics to support you both in terms of your role and your wellbeing but also to help you connect with colleagues across the business in a more social setting.
Work and family
- Paid time off:
- enhanced sick pay
- enhanced bereavement leave – 2 weeks paid leave following death of an immediate or close family member
- maternity, adoption and shared parental leave – right to access from day 1 of employment
- paternity leave/pay – 3 weeks paid leave with right to access from day 1 of employment
- A “Inclusion and Wellbeing” Day – a new form of paid Special Leave introduced from 2023
- Free confidential advice for you and your immediate family on a range of topics including health, money matters and illness through our employee assistance programme
- SDS signed up to the Dying to Work Charter, aimed at helping employees who become terminally ill at work
- Up to 21 hours of paid volunteering time each year to support your favourite charity or join in with community activities
- Pregnancy loss pledge – anyone who experiences pregnancy loss is entitled to 10 days paid leave (5 days for partners).
Flexibility and time off
- 30 days annual leave and 13 public holidays
- Hybrid working model - a balance of SDS workplace and home working
- Flexi-time scheme - carry over up to 14 hours credit or 7-hour deficit in a 4-week period. Up to 10 days off per year
- Flexible working requests – right to request from day 1 of employment
- Carers leave - up to 5 days unpaid leave to provide or arrange care where a dependant has a long-term care need
- Coming in 2025, opportunity to build additional flexibility into your annual leave provision through the purchase additional annual leave through salary sacrifice.
Personal development
- A commitment of at least 21 hours per year for your own Continued Professional Development
- Access to a wide range of learning content and materials through the SDS Academy, with additional learning also available via Mind Tools
- Annual sponsorship scheme for academic or vocational qualifications Mentoring Programme.
Current vacancies
Find the latest SDS jobs.
Employee stories
Our colleagues share what makes Skills Development Scotland a great place to work.
Our application process
Further information about our application process, including how to send your application and preparing for an interview.
Young Talent Programme
Our Young Talent Programme helps you take the first steps in your career as a Modern Apprentice, Graduate Apprentice, Trainee Careers Adviser or Graduate Intern.
External awards and recognition
We aim to have a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture. Our external awards and accreditations demonstrate our commitment to remaining an employer of choice; by attracting, developing and retaining talent.