£10m investment in skills to help post-Covid recovery
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Scotland’s future workforce will be at the heart of rebuilding the economy, Scottish Government economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said as she announced a £10 million training package.
This will support a range of measures to recruit and retain apprentices, including additional funding for the Scottish Government’s Adopt an Apprentice programme,
Ms Hyslop said the funding would help modern and graduate apprentices who are facing redundancy as a result of Covid-19 get back into work.
“The young people who will make up our future workforce are among those who have been hardest hit by this pandemic," she said.
"As such, it is crucial that we support them and ensure they are at the heart of our economic recovery from Covid-19.
“This targeted funding will extend the reach of our support for apprentices, including our Adopt an Apprentice programme. Combined with our commitment of at least £50 million for youth employment and the Youth Guarantee, we will ensure no one is left behind.
“Apprenticeships are not only valuable for our young people, they are a key way for all employers to invest in their workforce, and provide the skills the economy needs both now and in the future.
“Our focus is on protecting jobs, creating jobs, ensuring quality jobs and supporting skilled jobs. By taking this action to protect and support skilled jobs now, we will rebuild a stronger, fairer and greener future for Scotland.”
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) chairman Frank Mitchell added: “This welcome announcement underlines the importance of apprentices to the Scottish economy and the crucial role they will play in supporting individuals and businesses in the recovery from Covid-19.
“We will continue to liaise with the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board and other employer organisations on the development and delivery of employer incentives and subsidies."
Further immediate investment to support economic recovery from Covid-19 was set out last week by the Scottish Government, with additional funding for workforce training and digital technology announced.
The Flexible Workforce Development Fund, which helps employers upskill and reskill their existing workforce through college courses, will be increased from £10 million to £20 million. Meanwhile a further £1.5 million will be invested into the Digital Boost programme - almost trebling the capacity of the initiative for the remainder of this financial year.
