Willie Docherty: Apprenticeships offer best way forward on youth unemployment

WITH the UK Government's recent pledge to help the long-term unemployed back to work, and with the release of Future Jobs Fund monies, apprenticeships and the availability of training schemes have never been so important.

While this fund is great news for those starting out in work, or those who have already been affected by the recession looking to change direction or start again, there are simply not enough opportunities for young people to develop lifelong skills in trades that offer a viable career path.

If Scotland is to emerge from the recession with its head held high, then we need to be focusing on those key areas that have let us down – namely, the high levels of unemployment in major towns and cities, problems which are often the result of inherited social attitudes.

But this is not always the case. Every year, my company receives around 2,000 applications for fewer than 100 places on our craft apprenticeship scheme, demonstrating that there is no lack of demand or enthusiasm for apprenticeships among young people.

In the past year, we have already taken on 17 part-qualified apprentices who were made redundant by other employers during their training due to the impact of the recession. There are around 1,200 more across Scotland in the same position.

This is one of the biggest challenges we face. Few businesses currently have the resources to support an apprentice through their training or to employ them at the end of the four-year training contract. This is often due to the cyclical nature of construction projects, leaving company directors unable to make such a long-term commitment.

It was encouraging to hear that the Scottish Government has announced 4 million will be freed up to allow employers to take on apprentices. This commitment demonstrates that there is a very real awareness of the prospects such an opportunity can provide for the future of our workforce. But will it actually work and will it be enough?

Steven Purcell, the leader of Glasgow City Council, gave us reason to be optimistic when he launched the Commonwealth Apprentice Initiative following Glasgow's successful bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. At the launch, he pledged a significant increase in the number of opportunities for school leavers.

The initiative, which we are involved with, has established a commitment to a lasting legacy with a clear end goal in sight. Between now and 2014, more than 2,000 apprentices a year will be given the opportunity to gain qualifications in a range of skills – a commitment which I personally believe will make a major difference to us as a nation, on both a social and economic level.

My firm will see around 300 apprentices "qualify" each year and we have achieved a 95 per cent completion rate – an accomplishment of which we are very proud.

We expect dedication, hard work and a positive attitude from our trainees and, in return, we offer them skills development on the ground, learning from tradesmen with years of experience – as well as support and guidance in other aspects of their lives, ranging from the management of personal finances to healthy living and personal development.

It will be interesting to see where this 4m will lead us, but one thing is sure – apprenticeships are clearly moving up the political agenda. Most Scottish political parties seem now to be taking a more proactive approach in recognising the benefits to both businesses and individuals in investing in apprentices. It has been a long time coming – but better late than never.

• Willie Docherty is managing director of City Building.