Letter: Jobs for trainees

The government's targets for 40,000 extra apprentices are very ambitious and show that it recognises the importance of technical training to a strong economy.

But the government cannot create apprenticeships; it simply funds part of their training. This is where these grand schemes fall down.

It will take employers hiring 40,000 more young people before there can be 40,000 more apprenticeships. The job comes before the apprenticeship.

Every party believes it can win support by announcing big increases in apprenticeship places and training schemes, but I have yet to see these policies work through into real work, where it matters, because little consideration is given to employers' participation.

One of the most revealing statistics that the Chancellor gave was that only one in ten companies offers apprenticeships.

The government has to be prepared to incentivise employers to take on new apprentices and to create the jobs that will give them a career; otherwise the figures announced are meaningless.

Funds for vocational training and apprenticeships must be approached more imaginatively if we are to capitalise on the young talent and aspiration that is out there, while ensuring that our economic growth is backed by much-needed trade skills.

Gerard Eadie

CR Smith

Gardeners Street

Dunfermline, Fife