GLASGOW, Scotland, April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
The lives of 25,000 young people in Scotland have been transformed in 2012/13 by taking up a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) opportunity.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130412/607932 )
The Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland have confirmed that the target to enhance the job prospects of 25,000 young people through training in a key sector has been met for a second year.
Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance marked the occasion by meeting a number of MAs working at the Tennent's Training Academy in Glasgow.
She said:
"The Scottish Government recognises the value of the Modern Apprenticeship programme in developing and improving the skills of our young people. An MA gives them a job and a qualification, as well as a real entry point to the working world. This is precisely why we set ourselves the challenging target to offer 25,000 MA opportunities for each year of the current Parliament and I am delighted that the target has again been reached.
"Much of the credit for this work must go to Scotland's employers. To create 25,000 opportunities every year requires a willingness to get involved in the future welfare of our young people. Throughout 2013 I will be asking more employers in Scotland to make young people their business, but I would also offer my thanks to those who have got involved so far.
"MAs are just part of our action to help young people into employment, including the investment of £29 million into third sector programme Community Jobs Scotland and guaranteeing every young person aged 16 to 19 a place in education or training through Opportunities for All. Scotland's recent job figures show that the action we are taking is having an effect, including lower unemployment and higher employment amongst our young people compared to the UK. However, we will not be complacent and action will continue this year, including the rollout of employer recruitment incentives across local authorities in the coming months."
Skills Development Scotland's Chief Executive Damien Yeates said: "Today shows in very tangible terms the commitment of employers and individuals and how Modern Apprenticeships have a vital and valuable impact on Scotland's economy. I hope it will encourage other employers to offer more opportunities to help people build their future."
John Gilligan, Managing Director of Tennent Caledonian, commented:
"We are delighted to welcome Angela Constance, Youth Employment Minister to the Tennent's Training Academy for today's historic announcement on the Skills Development Scotland Modern Apprenticeship Programme. This scheme is without doubt an excellent way of training Scotland's young people in their chosen careers and industries. Having completed an apprenticeship myself, I found it gave me a certain discipline and confidence throughout my working career. At Tennent Caledonian we have our very own Modern Apprentice Plus Programme that nurtures 26 of the hospitality industry's brightest and most ambitious young Scots each year. Our Training Academy is now in its third year of operation, having successfully trained over 10,000 candidates in accredited hospitality qualifications across Scotland. This is part of our ongoing investment in raising the bar across the on-trade and hospitality industry in Scotland."
Notes to editors
Tennent Caledonian
Share this article