Scottish businesses are making upskilling their focus for 2026, according to new research from Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer.
In the year ahead, nearly half (46%) of Scottish businesses will be focussing on upskilling colleagues. Another 44% will be looking to enhance their use of technology, while more than a third (37%) will be looking to improve their productivity.
Reflecting their priority areas, upskilling staff (42%) is the area where Scottish businesses say they’d most value extra support to achieve their 2026 goals, along with technology enhancements (30%). Just over a quarter (27%) would also value help improving their environmental sustainability.
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
Martyn Kendrick, Scotland Director at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “Scottish businesses are putting people at the centre of their investment plans – something that will benefit the national economy, as well as their own growth aspirations.
“Whatever businesses’ ambitions for 2026, we’ll be ready to provide our support to help them achieve their goals.”