About STF

The Scottish Training Federation (STF) represents over 130 organisations operating in the field of work based training across Scotland.

STF members comprise a broad mix of independent training providers, group training associations, colleges and local authority training departments – and cover a wide range of occupational areas, from traditional craft apprenticeships through to service sector occupations.

The majority of STF members are involved in the delivery of government funded training including Foundation, Modern & Graduate Apprenticeships and employability programmes in Scotland.

Lobbying activity

STF is widely regarded as the ‘voice of training providers in Scotland’ operating in the work based training industry and is regularly consulted by all of the key stakeholders on policy development and implementation.

The STF Chief Executive and Board Members have regular meetings with senior staff at Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, Qualifications Scotland and Scottish Government to lobby on behalf of members.

Member workshops

Free workshops are held every month to update members on policy changes and new initiatives such as Apprenticeship Development and Funding, Meta Skills, Employability and No One Left Behind developments, Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships, Turing Scheme, and the current Education Reform, including the Education (Scotland) Bill and Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) Bill and the changes that will result from the passing of these Bills.

Monthly member update meetings

The Chief Executive holds monthly meetings on Teams to update members on recent operational and strategic developments. Meeting dates for 2026 are given below. All meetings run from 11.00-12.00.

• Friday 24 April 2026 (Speakers from Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland)
• Friday 22 May 2026 (Speakers from Scottish Government, SDS and the Skills Federation)
• Friday 26 June 2026 (Speakers from the Scottish Funding Council)
• Friday 28 August 2026
• Friday 25 September 2026
• Friday 23 October 2026
• Friday 20 November 2026
• Friday 11 December 2026.

STF Members on the ‘Auto Notification’ mailing list will receive an invitation approximately four weeks before each meeting. STF Members who would like to be added to this mailing list should contact Stuart McKenna.

Meetings are NOT recorded. However, a note of the main points discussed is issued shortly after each meeting.

Member groups 

The STF Care Forum is a long standing group which focusses on all issues relating to the care sector. The group is chaired by Lorna Trainer and currently has around 20 members.

The STF Employability Forum focusses on issues relating to the delivery of employability programmes in Scotland. The group is chaired by Maureen McCann and currently has around 25 members.

The STF Foundation Apprenticeship Forum focusses on issues relating to Foundation Apprenticeships. The group is chaired by Caroline McFarlane and currently has around 12 members.

Other short life groups are set up regularly to address specific issues in specific occupational sectors or to address cross cutting single issues such as the level of apprenticeship funding rates.

Joining STF

For more information on how to join STF, please click on the link below:

Become a member