Government to create 26,000 apprentices for by 2017

SNP Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work Roseanna Cunningham, (in white jacket at last year's Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards), has announced an ambitious new apprenticeship target for 2016/17. Image: Contributed

Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Roseanna Cunningham’s new target was revealed in a speech at the SCDI skills summit in Dundee.

The Government’s overall goal is to have 30,000 apprentices per year by 2020.

The announcement comes during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 29 February until 4 March and is organised by Skills Development Scotland.

Speaking ahead of the event the Ms. Cunningham, said: “In 2007 there were just 15,000 people starting Modern Apprenticeships. We are now delivering more than 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships each year and this will now increase to 26,000 for the year ahead.

“Modern Apprenticeships form a significant part of our work to address youth employment and the latest figures show that over the past four years, the Scottish Government has supported more than 101,000 Modern Apprenticeship starts – exceeding our ambitious target to deliver 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships opportunities in each year of the current Parliament.”

Since the SNP came into office eight years ago, approximately 190,000 MA starts have been produced by the government in an attempt to develop the skills of Scottish youths.

The Cabinet Secretary added that modern apprenticeships were seen as “key” to delivering both economic development and a strong economy.

Chairman of Skills Development Scotland, John F McClelland CBE, said: “Apprenticeships mean businesses can find the talent they need for the growth they want. Our web site apprenticeships.scot now makes it even easier for businesses to tap into the next generation of enthusiastic workers and for young people to find apprenticeship opportunities.”

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