AT least 28,000 new apprentices will be trained next year, with increased support for rural areas.
The target for 2018/19 was announced by Jamie Hepburn, minister for employability and training yesterday in a Holyrood debate on the Scottish Government’s strategy on youth employment.
Hepburn also confirmed changes to the rural supplement and increased funding for apprenticeships in key sectors. The revised model, to be introduced in April, aims to mitigate against the cost of service delivery in rural locations and provide additional support for training costs in key areas, such as social services.
“Over the last year we have seen tremendous progress against our targets, hitting our headline objective of reducing youth unemployment by 40 per cent, four years ahead of schedule.
“Despite this success, it is vital we continue to develop Scotland’s young workforce to meet the emerging needs and opportunities of our employers and economy.
“That is why we are expanding the number of Modern Apprenticeship places available to 28,000 next year, meaning even more people can access a wide variety of vocational skills and training.”
Hepburn added: “In 2008, we were determined to ensure this generation of young people had a bright future to look forward to. The actions we have taken, the investment we are making, and the focus we continue to apply mean that more young people are in work and have the skills and training they need to succeed in life.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel