Organisational Development Graduate Intern - Skills First
Join Skills Development Scotland on a Graduate Internship Programme
If you require this advert in another format, please contact recruitment@sds.co.uk or call 0300 013 5119.
Are you a recent graduate with a passion for organisational design and making a real impact? Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is looking for a motivated and curious individual to join our HR department as an Organisational Development Graduate Intern on a 12-month Fixed Term contract.
About the Role
SDS is embarking on an ambitious project as part of our Transform 2027 initiative to transition to a skills-based organisation by adopting a Skills First approach. This is critical at a time when the organisation needs to become more sustainable, agile in the deployment of resources, and create a more inclusive culture.
The role will sit within the Skills-First project team, which consists of resources from across the organisation as they embark on piloting Skills First approaches.
The postholder will be responsible for providing research, analytical, and coordination support to the project team while gaining hands-on experience in strategic HR transformation and organisational development
About You
It is essential that you hold a degree (SCQF level 9) in a relevant subject such as Human Resource Management, Organisational Psychology, Business, Data Analytics, or a related field along with experience in data research and synthesis, report writing, and developing and delivering presentations.
We’d love for you to join us and make an impact you can be proud of!
Eligibility:
To be eligible for this role, you must be aged 24 or younger on 06 October 2025, in line with the Scottish Government’s initiative on youth employment. However, SDS will be flexible on age criteria for applicants who identify as care experienced or disabled in which case candidates must be 29 or younger on 06 October 2025.
About SDS
Skills Development Scotland is the national skills agency. Our ambition is to drive productivity and inclusive growth through investment in skills, enabling businesses and people to achieve their potential. Through the sharing of expertise, intelligence, and extensive partnership working, we enable the development and delivery of innovative solutions to Scotland’s skills and labour market challenges. This is even more important given the current economic climate and recessionary outlook. Find out more about SDS here
Values
Our organisational values are created by our colleagues and are the compass that guide our behaviours and actions with our customers and each other. We need our future colleagues to share these values and help us to continue to deliver our bold ambitions for the future;
- We put the needs of our customers at the heart of all we do
- We make use of our combined strengths and expertise to deliver the best outcomes
- We demonstrate self-motivation, personal responsibility, and respect
- We continually improve to achieve excellence
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. Our employees enjoy a wide variety of progressive benefits and working practices. We prioritise employee engagement, wellbeing, and development, making us a great place to work.
Click here to see the full range of our Benefits
Where you’d be based
SDS embraces agile working, therefore, location is flexible. However, there will be a requirement for regular travel to Glasgow where the team is based for training, mentoring and team collaboration.
SDS as an Inclusive Workplace
At SDS we are committed to 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, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race. To support our ambitions our application process is anonymised. Therefore, while we want to know about your relevant skills and experience, please avoid disclosing any identifying characteristics.
Our Application Process
The closing date to submit your application Sunday 13th July.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 21st July and 28th July.
We are piloting a new approach to recruitment for this role, if your application is successful and you are invited to interview, you will be issued with the interview questions in advance to help you prepare and do your best at interview. More information will be made available if you are invited to interview.
The anticipated start date for successful candidates is 22 September 2025.
More information on the interview format will be made available if you are invited to interview. To find out more about working at SDS and our application process please visit us at https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/work-with-us/