The drive to create opportunities through apprenticeships has
exceeded the Scottish Government's target for 2009/2010, Scotland's
first minister has revealed.
Alex Salmond said that almost 20,000 people in Scotland have
started a Modern Apprenticeship over the past year and are now
receiving training and skills development to help them into
long-term employment.
The Scottish Government had set a target of delivering 18,500
new start apprentices in last year's 2009/10 Budget plans - a
73% increase on the previous year.
Mr Salmond announced the latest figures at The Edinburgh
Construction Group's site at the University of Edinburgh.
The construction group has 25 employees and took on a new
apprentice through the £1,000 Apprenticeship Grant. It also adopted
a further four apprentices, who were at risk of becoming
unemployed, under the Adopt an Apprentice Programme.
Mr Salmond said: "Delivering 18,500 Modern Apprenticeships in a
time of severe economic turbulence as well as tight public
expenditure due to the £500 million Westminster cuts has been
challenging.
"We have exceeded the target and nearly 20,000 people have been
given a real opportunity to gain the skills, training and
experience needed for successful, long-term employment.
"Skills Development Scotland has worked hard with employers,
young people and adults to make this happen."
Skills Development Scotland chair Willy Roe said: "Today's
announcement shows in tangible terms what the Modern Apprenticeship
and ScotAction programmes have been able to deliver for Scotland's
people in a very challenging economic environment.
"This is due to hard work and commitment from a range of
partners, the employers who have shown belief in the
apprenticeships and the apprentices themselves.
"Programmes like this allow us to assist Scottish businesses to
develop their skills base at a point when they need to be at their
most productive, as well as increasing employment opportunities for
people across a wide range of sectors."
Pictured above: First Minister Alex Salmond (right) and SDS
Chair Willy Roe (left) with apprentices.
Photo by Allan Milligan (17.03.10) Mobile: 07884 267 879.
E-mail: info@allanmilligan.co.uk