MSPS slam businessman

A TOP businessman who said young people have “poor attitudes” and are “unprepared” for work yesterday failed to show up at the Scottish Parliament to defend his claims.

David Scott, chief executive of GTG Training, which is owned by car dealer Arnold Clark, sparked controversy when he insisted more than 80% of school leavers seeking an apprenticeship were unsuitable.

In a written submission to the Finance Committee earlier this week, the firm outlined a “desperately sad and thoroughly disheartening” picture of people with a poor attitude, wholly unrealistic expectations and unprepared for long working hours.

MSPS yesterday said they were disappointed Mr Scott sent his apologies after such a “provocative” submission.

Echoing the criticisms of young people by GTG Training, Labour MSP Michael Mcmahon said: “I hope he will have a good reason and it’s not down to his poor attitude, that he’s got no concept of citizenship, poor communications skills or a poor understanding of the standards that are expected.

“I’m sure there is a good reason why he’s not here.”

There were 3,810 inquiries for the Arnold Clark apprentice scheme last year, leading to 2,280 formal applications, according to the GTG Training report, lodged with the committee in advance.

Of those, 430 were deemed employable and 121 were given a job – a total of 1,850 were considered “not employable at all.”

Mr Mcmahon asked if businesses rather than school leavers have a “wholly unrealistic expectation.”

He said: “I left school at 15 and had an apprenticeship.

“I’m not sure I was entirely ready for what I encountered.

“It took me a long time to get into my stride.”

SNP MSP Mark Mcdonald said: “I’m disappointed that the representative from GTG, Arnold Clark, isn’t here.

“I think it was a fairly provocative submission, certainly the language that was used within it, and I think it would have merited some probing and some challenge.”

Meanwhile, Mr Scott came in for stinging criticism from Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie.

“Perhaps Arnold Clark’s David Scott should listen to his own lectures to young people,” he said.

“Did his alarm clock not wake him or was he too embarrassed about his poorly judged criticism of young people?”

“Based on a tiny straw poll of 2,280 applicants, Arnold Clark has come to an absurd conclusion that four-fifths of school leavers are unsuitable for employment.

“This is not the way to assess the employability needs of young people in Scotland.”

Conservative committee member Gavin Brown called for clarification of GTG’S figures.

He said: “How did they reach the conclusion that 1,850 people were not employable at all? I think that’s an important question to ask.”

In a statement, Arnold Clark Automobiles said: “Due to an unforeseen business requirement, David Scott advised the committee that he was unable to attend.”

Mr Scott will be invited to attend another committee hearing, convener Kenneth Gibson said.

Arnold Clark, owner of GTG Training.