What is this thing called workforce development? A Scottish perspective

AbstractWith the development and implementation of a National Workforce Development Statement (2010) for the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) workforce in Scotland, workforce development has become a growing interest for related professionals and sectors over the past 6 years. The Workforce Development Programme (WDP) at Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) receives core funding from the Scottish Government Drugs Policy Unit (DPU) and has a remit to provide workforce development support for the AOD workforce at both a national and local level. This paper discusses the history of workforce development and provides a number of samples of our work in the area of workforce development in Scotland. The paper also discusses the challenges for workforce development within the AOD field in Scotland.