Plans to help more young people into work

YOUNG people have been given a boost with more than 3,500 work-based learning opportunities bring offered in 2018 by Skills Development Scotland.

In a move to help reach a target of 30,000 new apprenticeships by 2020, the Scottish Government’s national skills agency will support the delivery of 2,600 Foundation Apprenticeships for young people at school.

The foundation apprenticeships are for pupils in fifth or sixth year and typically take place over two years alongside other subjects such as highers. The apprenticeships give pupils work experience outside of the classroom, at a college or learning provider and with employers.

In addition, funding will also be made available through the Scottish budget to create 887 Graduate Apprenticeship opportunities within the expansion of the modern apprenticeship programme.

These provide employees with work-based learning up to masters level

Employ ability and Training Minister, Jamie Hepburn, announced in Parliament that in total, 28,000 new Modern Apprenticeship starts will be delivered in the coming year. He said the Government was “committed to enhancing and widening our apprenticeship offering”,

SDS chief executive Damien Ye ates said workbased learning and apprentice ships are vital for Scotland’s prosperity.