Small businesses in Scotland can boost their productivity thanks to a new £1.5 million funding pot.
The fund is part of the UK Futures Programme run by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
It aims to improve leadership and entrepreneurial skills among small businesses.
These have been identified as factors to address the productivity gap in Scotland, where the average yearly output for each worker is 7% lower than the UK average.
UK productivity levels are nearly 20% lower than the average for other advanced economies, giving the UK the lowest level of labour productivity of all G7 countries with the exception of Japan.
The figures are from the office for National Statistics International Comparisons of Productivity, and the problem is affecting UK competitiveness, earnings and potential to generate higher economic growth.
UKCES is inviting bids from anchor institutions in parts of the UK where productivity is below average.
