A Highland-based community arts worker has
become Skills Development Scotland's 20,000th Modern Apprentice
this year.
Kirsty-Anne Macfarlane received a commemorative plaque from the
organisation's chair Willy Roe at a Feis arts and music event for
primary school children in Ullapool today.
The 19-year-old musician is employed by Dingwall-based arts
organisation Feis Rois and started her Creative Industries
apprenticeship earlier this month.
The Scottish Government pledged to deliver 18,500 Modern
Apprenticeships as part of last year's Budget. 20,000 people in
Scotland have received skills and training through Skills
Development Scotland's Modern Apprenticeship programme in the past
year.
Skills Minister Keith Brown said: "I congratulate Kirsty-Anne
and her employers along with all 20,000 modern apprentices who have
started their training over the past year.
"Following on from this year's success, we have set ambitious
targets for the next 12 months, which will see training used more
than ever before to help accelerate economic growth. We will offer
a flexible range of opportunities, including 15,000 apprenticeships
and 5000 flexible training places that will meet employer demand
and improve individual careers."
Skills Development Scotland chair Willy Roe said: "This is a
special day for Kirsty-Anne and her employers. It shows in very
real terms how Modern Apprenticeship and ScotAction programmes have
been able to deliver training and skills for Scotland's people in a
very challenging economic environment.
"It reflects the achievement of a number of people - and the
hard work of apprentices, employers, training providers and staff
at Skills Development Scotland - to increase employment
opportunities for individuals across a wide range of sectors.
"This is the first time ever that Scotland has provided 20,000
new start Modern Apprenticeship places in any one year, and is more
than double what it was two years ago. This is a fantastic tribute
to Scotland's employers."
Training provider Rewards TRC Scotland's general manager Liam
McGeevor said: "Rewards TRC see this as an important step in the
continuing promotion of our cultural industries and we are
extremely proud to be part of it. We look forward to taking
Kirsty-Anne through the award and to assisting her in achieving her
first step in Community Arts."