THE UK civil service forces Scots to classify their qualifications as “other” in job applications, the Sunday National can reveal.
Applicants for some roles in the civil service, across different UK Government departments, are asked to enter their school qualifications and are given a drop-down menu to help them classify these.
Menus include options for English qualifications such as GCSEs as well as Scottish Vocational Qualifications – but not Scottish qualifications like Highers, according to an applicant who spoke to the Sunday National.
A source, who did not wish to be named as he is currently applying for civil service jobs, said that it made him feel marginalised by the system.
He said: “It undercuts the whole ‘union of equals’ rhetoric. Unless you’re playing by the English education system, you’re going to be an other on this island.”
Noting that Scotland has always had a different education system than England, he added: “I’m used to it applying for jobs in other countries, if they’re looking for qualifications, they tend to look for English ones but within the UK itself, you’d think they would recognise the Scottish education system within the official civil service system.
“It’s not the biggest priority by any means at the moment, but it’s a bit disheartening.”
Scotland’s distinct education system predates the Union and has been under the control of the Scottish Parliament since its creation in 1999.
Most pupils in Scotland sit exams in National 4 or 5 subjects before going on to Highers, though some private schools offer English qualifications.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "All civil service recruitment is through open and fair competition, based on merit.
"We are working to ensure Scottish qualifications are recognised in our recruitment processes, and an update will be provided in due course.
"There are more than 25,000 civil servants based in Scotland and we are increasing opportunities with more roles moving to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen – which is also home to our new Energy Campus.''
