Labour’s 5,000 apprenticeships

THOUSANDS of ‘properly paid’ apprenticeships would be created under Scottish Labour plans to help young people following the coronavirus pandemic.

Anas Sarwar yesterday announced a series of proposals as part of his Jobs Recovery Plan to double pay for apprentices and a sharing scheme – so youngsters can work between firms in key industries.

The Scottish Labour leader said that creating work opportunities for young people is ‘central’ to his plans, with a full blueprint to be unveiled this week.

He said: ‘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 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.’

Last week Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross disclosed his plans for ‘unlimited’ demand-led apprenticeships, based on employers’ needs rather than government targets. He pledged to look at encouraging women into apprenticeships, with women accounting for only 38 per cent.

As part of his recovery plan, Mr Sarwar will today unveil plans for a new ‘Scottish Skills benefit’ which he believes will help people out of work, furloughed or in at-risk industries.

Those at present on furlough or Universal Credit would receive an average of £500 to pay for training to find high-skilled jobs – with up to £750 for attendance for those who are unemployed.

The total cost in the first Covid year of the New Skills Benefit is anticipated to be £250-300 million – predominantly from the Scottish budget and unallocated Barnett consequentials – before reducing to around £100million per year.