Unlocking Potential
Graeme Dey marked this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week last week with a visit to Dundee & Angus College’s Arbroath Campus.
There he met with young people undertaking Foundation Apprenticeships at the College. These programmes have been developed to help young people gain valuable, real-world work experience and access work-based learning while they are still at school.
Whether someone wants to go onto college or university, do a further apprenticeship or go straight into work, a Foundation Apprenticeship can help. Linked to key sectors of the Scottish economy, the qualifications take one or two years to complete alongside National 5s and Highers – adding up to an industry-recognised qualification.
One of D&A College’s Early Education and Childcare students, Katie Phinn, has been has been shortlisted for the Foundation Apprentice of the year award. A cochlear implant user herself, she says she is proud to have been able to act as a role model for deaf primary school pupils while supporting their learning through her apprenticeship.
Scottish Apprenticeships Week, led annually by Skills Development Scotland, ran from 6th to 10th March this year with the theme of ‘Unlocking Potential’ – demonstrating that apprenticeships support sustained employment, upskilling and a productive economy. Businesses of all sizes are utilising the power of apprenticeships to create opportunities and develop critical skills needed for now and in the future.
Alongside Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships combine paid employment with work-based training and lead to industry-recognised vocational qualifications. Theses programmes offer employees the chance to gain skills and qualifications relevant to the nature and level of their current job, without having to study at college full-time.
At the end of last year, there were almost 40,000 Modern Apprentices training in Scotland, and more than 22,000 young people have been offered workplace opportunities through the Young Person’s Guarantee. The Scottish Government invested up to £45 million in the Guarantee in 2022-23, and over 800 employers have signed up to the initiative to connect 16- to 24-year-olds with an apprenticeship, work experience, volunteering, internships, enterprise opportunities and mentoring.
It was a real pleasure to meet Foundation Apprentices and some of those teaching them at D&A’s Arbroath Campus for Scottish Apprenticeships Week.
GRAEME
I am always keen to support this occasion, as these programmes – both Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships – are so valuable to both the young people and to key sectors of the local and national economy that will benefit from their skills.
They are creating sustainable jobs across Scotland for people from all backgrounds and abilities – I would encourage all employers to find out more.
The SNP in government recognises the role apprenticeships play in unlocking the potential of individuals and of our country, and is determined to continue increasing such opportunities.
Designed by industry, for industry, apprenticeships not only help the economy but also create sustainable jobs across all parts of Scotland. These opportunities have been taken by individuals from across society, including many young people traditionally with restricted opportunities to progress who have gone onto flourish in the workplace.
CHAIR OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCOTLAND, FRANK MITCHELL
These are real jobs backed by employers who contribute £10 for every £1 spent by government, and at the same time apprentices contribute by paying their taxes.
Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce through work-based learning is benefiting employers as apprentices enable them to adapt and sustain their business.
