A new public body is to be created in Scotland to oversee careers guidance and advice on skills and training for adults.
The organisation - yet to be given a name - will involve the merger of existing bodies Careers Scotland and learndirect Scotland.
Speaking at the launch of a major report into how skills training will be delivered in Scotland, Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the new body would begin work at the start of next year, with a more formalised organisation in place by April.
"This strategy sets out our objectives to develop a lifelong learning system centred upon the individual, but responsive to employer needs," she said.
Yesterday, the merger received a mixed reaction, with unions calling for a Holyrood inquiry into the plan.
Dave Watson, Unison's Scottish officer, said: "We are particularly concerned the Cabinet Secretary made no effort to hear the views of front-line staff before reaching this decision."
The STUC was also critical. David Moxham, assistant secretary, said: "We do not believe the creation of yet another quango will achieve the stated objective of delivering a better service to individuals."
However, Murdo Fraser, education spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said the merger did not go far enough. "This announcement falls well short of that aim, but is at least a small step in the right direction."
Last night, CBI Scotland welcomed the strategy. Iain McMillan, director, said: "The strategy recognises CBI Scotland's key requirements of literacy and numeracy, core skills, employability skills and vocational skills."
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