Industry Innovators
INDUSTRY INNOVATORS
REAL WORLD
CHALLENGES.
FUTURE-READY
SKILLS.
Our brand new Industry Innovators suite of lessons provides pupils with real-world entrepreneurial experiences through engagement with local, innovative businesses across Scotland.
By linking each meta-skill with an associated entrepreneur, learners hear directly from them about how they use meta-skills in their everyday lives, and how these meta-skills have a positive impact on their industries.
We partnered with
For their passion in helping Scottish entrepreneurs find their voice and global audience.
For their resilience and growth from a pandemic start-up to a local favourite in hospitality.
For building a bold, inclusive beauty community that inspires confidence and creativity.
For their insight into what enterprises of all kinds really value, and how to help young people prepare for any future path.
For teaching organisation not just as a habit, but as a lifelong skill that empowers people.
For perfectly blending creativity and functionality as a design industry role model.
For showing how collaboration and adaptability fuel innovation in Scotland’s tech scene.
For showing how sustainability and innovation can thrive in the heart of Scotland’s agricultural industry.
ALIGNS TO
Skills Development Scotland 4.0
Industry Innovators directly aligns with the SDS 4.0 by equipping pupils with critical entrepreneurial meta-skills such as social intelligence in leadership, and collaboration, and the curiosity for innovation. These skills are essential for pupils to thrive in the future workforce and contribute to economic growth and innovation.
Curriculum for Excellence
Industry Innovators supports the four capacities of the CfE through interdisciplinary, practical learning experiences.
Successful Learners: The programme encourages active, inquiry-based learning through real-world challenges set by local businesses.
Confident Individuals: Pupils gain confidence through presenting ideas, decision-making, and receiving feedback from peers and business professionals. The real-world focus of the programme helps pupils envision themselves as capable entrepreneurs and leaders.
Responsible Citizens: The programme emphasises ethical entrepreneurship, encouraging pupils to consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts of their business decisions. Through these activities, pupils develop an understanding of their roles in fostering sustainable, socially responsible communities.
Effective Contributors: Pupils collaborate in teams to solve industry challenges, developing leadership, initiative, and creativity. The programme promotes effective teamwork and offers mentorship from local businesses to help pupils develop innovative solutions.
National Strategy for Economic Transformation
The NSET emphasises the development of a dynamic and skilled workforce that will drive Scotland’s economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. Industry Innovators directly supports these goals by embedding entrepreneurial education within real-world business challenges.
The Skills Imperative 2025
Published by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), the paper explores the essential skills needed for the future of work. It investigates how the world of work will look in 2035, considering megatrends like technological advancements.
The NFER working paper examines essential employment skills as crucial to education. The report identifies key employment skills, categorising them as analytical/creative, interpersonal, self-management, and emotional intelligence skills, and examines how to prepare the workforce through education and training. Ultimately, it highlights the strategic challenge for governments, employers, and educators to prioritise skills development for a future economy.
CREATE
YOUR OWN
PROGRAMME
The flexible nature of Industry Innovators allows students and their teachers to undertake all eight lessons, or create their own experience to suit availability and time restrictions.
STEP 01
Starter Lesson
entrepreneur essentials lesson
STEP 02
Main Lessons
You can use as many lessons as you like – in any order!
BAKE IT HAPPEN
NAILED IT!
ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT
RADICAL DESIGN
FIND A STORY
STEP 03
Finish Lesson
SKILLS SHOWCASE LESSON
The Industry Innovators
programme is available
to schools signed up to the
Gen+ Learn programme.
FAQs
Where can I find out more information for my school?
We’d love to tell you more about bringing the Industry Innovators programme to your school. Whether you’re looking for a single lesson, a term-long project, or something in between, we can help you get started.
Contact us to explore what’s possible, or download the impact report to see how the programme has worked in other schools.
I’m a parent or carer, I’d like to find out more.
If you’re curious about how Gen+ helps young people build confidence, creativity and real-world skills, we’re here to help.
Download our impact report to learn more, or get in touch with any questions — we’d love to hear from you.
How can my business get involved?
We’re always looking for businesses who want to inspire the next generation. Whether you have a real-world challenge to share, want to be featured in our lessons, or are exploring sponsorship opportunities, we’d love to collaborate.
Contact us to start the conversation, or read our impact report to see how other partners have helped shape the programme.
How can I support the Gen+ Industry Innovators programme?
There are lots of ways to support our work — from making a donation or sponsoring a school, to becoming a featured industry voice in the programme.
Get in touch and we’ll be happy to explore the best way for you to get involved. You can also read our impact report to see the difference your support can make.
HEAR FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS
