Following the establishment of devolved structures of government, the English and Scottish ministers responsible for all aspects of education, training and employment have drawn up a Concordat setting out principles and structures for working together.

The purpose is defined as -

"This Concordat establishes an agreed framework for co-operation between the Scottish Ministers and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on education, training and employment matters. It follows the principles set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the devolved administrations. It is intended to guide the actions of officials working on these matters in the Scottish Executive and the UK Government, in particular the Department for Education and Employment and its agents, such as the Employment Service."