Regional divides in the education system, a lack of awareness of the opportunities available and a misaligned curriculum leave students unprepared to engage with the UK’s booming digital economy, which is growing 2.6 times faster than other industries, says the British Interactive Media Association BIMA. But the organisation says it is excited for Scotland, having trebled participation from schools and industry thanks to the support of the DYWs, Education Scotland and the BIMA Scotland Council.
http://www.businessforscotland.com/scotland-performing-better-as-digital-skills-gap-threatens-uk-growth-says-bima/

Construction of Europe’s first ‘smart canal’  is underway in Glasgow. The pioneering ‘digital surface water drainage system’ aims to unlock 110 hectares across the north of the city for investment, regeneration and development, paving the way for more than 3,000 new homes. The £17m project will use the 250-year-old Forth & Clyde Canal and modern technology to mitigate flood risk as well as enable regeneration. Delivered through a partnership between Glasgow City Council, Scottish Canals and Scottish Water under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership, the project will use sensor and predictive weather technology.
http://www.businessforscotland.com/europes-first-ever-smart-canal-underway-in-glasgow/

A leading Scots 3D printing company is bringing cutting-edge F1 technology to Scotland for the first time. Brechin-based Angus 3D Solutions will use the revolutionary technology to help deliver up to £1 billion of benefits to the Scottish economy by boosting the circular economy. Thanks to a £175,000 grant from Zero Waste Scotland, global manufacturing veteran Andy Simpson has bought the world’s most advanced metal printing machine. The machine, expected to arrive at the Brechin start-up in December, will be used to make new components for industries as diverse as oil and gas, medical and satellites and in the reverse engineering of obsolete parts.
http://www.businessforscotland.com/commercial-3d-printing-in-brechin-first-in-the-uk/

Demand for IT professionals in Scotland has soared, leading a general rising trend for demand for professionals across the country. Research from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) revealed that demand rose by 24% year-on-year to September 2018
http://www.businessforscotland.com/demand-for-it-professionals-soars/