Scottish Election 2021: Labour pledges jobs boost for young Scots

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has pledged to boost jobs for young Scots.

Mr Sarwar said the party’s plans to regrow the economy include 5,000 apprenticeship places and a sharing scheme so that businesses in key sectors like construction or agriculture take on an apprentice together. The plans would also tackle low pay by ensuring that all apprentices receive a higher wage than the £4.30 an hour that many currently receive, regardless of age.

The proposals would involve more than doubling the hourly rate of a 23-year-old apprentice.

Mr Sarwar has said that creating new work opportunities for the young people of Scotland would form part of his vision of a Jobs Recovery Plan, which is due to be unveiled this week.

He said: “Creating new work opportunities for the young people of Scotland is central to our Jobs Recovery Plan.

“Scotland’s young people are worried about their futures as a result of the pandemic and the economic downturn that will take years to recover from. The partial re-opening of the economy today is a step in the right direction, but we need to take urgent action to kickstart our economy.”

He added: “Scottish Labour’s Jobs Recovery Plan seeks to stimulate our economy and place fairness and opportunity at its heart. By creating 5,000 properly paid apprenticeship places, we can deliver a brighter future for thousands of young Scots if we keep the focus on recovery and don’t return to the old political arguments.”

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