Mouthpiece: Do your bit for tomorrow – say they're hired

Published on Monday 15 June 2009 10:02

Today's apprentices are the workforce of the future, says

Fiona Hyslop

ON WEDNESDAY last week I visited the Usher Hall and met redundant apprentice Paul Bon who will now, thanks to 2,000 from the Scottish Government, be taken on as a full apprentice with decorating firm Protective and Decorative Surface Coatings who are working on the Usher Hall refurbishment.

The recession is having an affect on companies across Scotland and some employers have had to make the difficult decision to let some of their apprentices go. The Scottish Government is undertaking a range of work, through its economic recovery programme, to help individuals and businesses during the current downturn. That is why we announced ScotAction, our skills support package that combines new and improved skills assistance for training for work, in work and from work to work.

We have already committed an additional 16 million to increase apprenticeship recruitment in Scotland. That money will increase the number of new starts on the Modern Apprenticeship programme by 7,800 and sustain these individuals in their places for the duration of their apprenticeship.

This Government recognises the pressures on people and understands the importance of ensuring people continue to train and develop themselves throughout the downturn. The Modern Apprenticeship programme is crucial to the future success of our country because those apprentices on the programme now will be our workforce of the future. Investing in them means we will all benefit in the years ahead.

The Scottish Government has also made clear that it will guarantee continued training for apprentices who lose their job due to the downturn. Last week we also announced the 'Adopt An Apprentice' scheme where employers can receive a helping hand of 2,000 to employ a redundant apprentice and I would encourage all employers to consider this offer.

To see what help is available during the downturn visit www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/help

Fiona Hyslop is Education Secretary and a Lothians MSP