SNP SECURING SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE
Fulton MacGregor MSP has today led a Holyrood debate highlighting the positive impact of apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities for the 37,000 young people currently going through an apprenticeship in Scotland.
The SNP manifesto committed to delivering 30,000 apprenticeships each year by 2020, up from 15,000 when we took office, targeting the additional places on higher level courses, including graduate-level apprenticeships.
The SNP is also committed to addressing gender imbalances and increasing the numbers of trainees who are disabled, care experienced, or from a BME background.
National Apprenticeship Week will take place from 6 to 10 March.
Commenting, Fulton MacGregor MSP said:
“It’s great to see increased participation in Modern Apprenticeships from under-represented groups in society such as women, ethnic minorities, carers and people with disabilities – but we need to widen access even further.
“I am delighted that Skills Development Scotland has launched an action plan to encourage more BEM young people into Modern Apprenticeships, as well as committed to ensuring support is in place to help care leavers into Modern Apprenticeships, for example by raising the age limit for care leavers to 29.
“The SNP’s extra investment and focus over the last decade has transformed apprenticeships – building bridges with industry, filling skills gaps and enhancing productivity, while giving our young people the skills they need to be at the forefront of our economy and our jobs market. It’s important that we can provide opportunities to young people who feel that college or university is not for them.
“Countries with well-developed vocational learning systems and significant employer engagement have the lowest levels of youth unemployment. The fact that Scotland has the second lowest youth unemployment in the EU demonstrates that we are heading in the right direction by investing in Modern Apprenticeships.”
Fulton MacGregor 