Letters: Hard work helps to fill job vacancies at crucial time

I NOTED a survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters revealed that every graduate vacancy this year is attracting an average of 69 applications, compared with 49 last year and 31 in 2008, leading to growing graduate unemployment.

Scotland's graduate unemployment rate remains lower than the rest of the UK and in an increasingly competitive marketplace, it is close working with employers, colleges and universities that will ensure we are able to not only fill the skills gaps in the market today, but can forecast and fill the skills gaps of the future with individuals with the appropriate qualifications, ensuring supply addresses increasing demand.

Skills development is vital to the productivity and sustainable economic growth of Scotland, and it is key to maintaining economic recovery and boosting growth.

The Scottish Government has already identified seven "key sectors" in its Economic Strategy with high growth potential, including creative industries, energy and life sciences, all with considerable skill requirements.

The transformative power of skills to accelerate economic recovery cannot be prized highly enough, and we must continue to invest in a skilled workforce, giving employers the opportunity to access the relevant skills at the right time and in the right place.

Jacqui Hepburn, director, Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, Edinburgh

Friendliness of a real gentleman

I WAS saddened to learn of the death of archeologist and gentleman Ian Mathieson (News, 3 July). He and his lovely wife Pat opened their hearts and home to us when we came to Edinburgh to be married 20 years ago.

I was merely connected to them through a mutual friend of my mother's and Pat's, and my husband Bill and I were strangers to them, yet she and Ian were so kind to serve as witnesses at our wedding (providing my bouquet from their garden) at the Morningside Registration Office and host a luncheon afterward at their beautiful home bordering the Botanical Garden.

When our children have asked us to describe the people of Scotland, it is people like the Mathiesons that we draw upon to describe a warm, friendly and generouspopulation. I just wish I could have told that directly to Mr Mathieson.

We look forward to returning to beautiful Edinburgh the second week in August to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary with our two children and retrace some of the steps we took as newlyweds, including spending our wedding night at the Tattoo.

Beth Fedor, Tucson, Arizona

MSP should show a better example

HOW disappointing that Rhona Brankin at 60 has decided to step down from Holyrood (News, 8 July).

With the retiral age being raised one would have thought that a good Labour MSP would have led by example and stayed on for another term, after all that's what many of her constituents will have to do.

Why can't MSPs show a better example?

Colin C Maclean, Hillpark Avenue, Edinburgh

How fare is free travel on buses?

BUS fares for pensioners in Scotland are free, but could Edinburgh not introduce a voluntary contribution from pensioners depending on the length of the journey?

Fares have risen a lot since free passes were introduced.

Margaret J Brown, Fairmilehead, Edinburgh

Taking up extra park and ride

THE item regarding growing use of the park and ride sites around Edinburgh (News, 7 July) is clearly written around a survey carried out by Edinburgh City Council on its sites but mentions the Ferrytoll, implying that it is also run by Edinburgh Council.

The Ferrytoll park and ride is operated by Fife Council/Stagecoach and bears no relation to the Edinburgh sites.

Peter Chalmers, Farne Court, Kirkcaldy

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