SMEs are defined as businesses that employ between 0-250 people (the information in this section focuses on those SMEs that employ at least one person - this means it excludes sole traders).

In Scotland, there are approximately 90,000 businesses (34% of all businesses) that employ between 1-249 people. These businesses provide around 40% of the all the jobs in the private sector. SMEs have the potential to be a significant source of job opportunities for people in priority groups.

Most (97%) SMEs employ fewer than 50 people: this may affect their willingness and capacity to recruit from priority groups. Smaller businesses will have fewer staff and therefore less capacity to take part in complicated recruitment procedures and the provision of additional support and training to new employees.

The SME sector therefore presents some specific challenges to employability and Healthy Working Lives advisors to develop services that support smaller businesses to recruit from priority groups.