Apprenticeships part of recovery investment for Scotland’s employers
Employers are backing apprenticeships and supporting young people through Scotland’s economic transition from the pandemic.
The annual number of Modern and Graduate Apprenticeship starts has risen to 26,548, according to latest figures published by Skills Development Scotland – 34 percent higher than the previous year. The figures show there were 25,401 Modern Apprenticeships starts during the past financial year (April 2021 – March 2022), which is 6,746 higher than the same point last year - a 36 percent increase.
Opportunities for young people
Apprenticeships are a key part of Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee which ensures a job, training, education or volunteering opportunities for every 16 to 24-year-old.
Modern Apprenticeship starts for 16 – 19 year olds and 20–24 year olds have risen by over a third and, combined, show a higher rate than the overall increase to the total number of starts. This suggests that opportunities for young people are improving, following the effects of the pandemic.
Scottish Government has pledged its continued support of apprenticeships, stating that it is committed to getting starts up to pre-pandemic levels and to then see how further they can go.
As the economy continues to recover from the challenges of the pandemic, the latest apprenticeship statistics demonstrates that employers continue to recognise the critical role apprenticeships play in developing a skilled workforce.
Frank Mitchell
Chair, Skills Development Scotland
Skills solution for businesses
Apprenticeships are part of the Scottish Government’s economic strategy, highlighted as critical to developing skills needed to support economic transition and increase productivity, while contributing to fairer and more equal economic opportunities.
SDS Chair, Frank Mitchell said: “As the economy continues to recover from the challenges of the pandemic, the latest apprenticeship statistics demonstrates that employers continue to recognise the critical role apprenticeships play in developing a skilled workforce.
“Apprenticeships closely meet the needs of employers and the economy, while supporting Scottish Government’s approach to supporting economic recovery and delivering the opportunities through the youth employment strategy, Developing the Young Workforce.
“There is a greater focus than ever on youth unemployment, harder to reach individuals and people from marginalised communities and work-based learning is opening up opportunities for those individuals to gain the skills they need for life and work.”
Director of Devolved Nations at Federation of Small Businesses Scotland, Colin Borland said: “Coming out of the pandemic, small businesses still face challenges including rising costs and recruitment difficulties. Apprenticeships can offer a cost effective solution to finding new talent, with the support provided to embed skills needed for now and the future.”
The 2021 - 2022 Q4 report of Modern Apprenticeships can be found in Publications and Statistics within the SDS website.