5000 More Modern Apprenticeships Announced

An extra 5,000 apprenticeship places have been created to help people of all ages enter and progress in the job market despite the current economic conditions.

The new places have been created through a total investment of £9.1 million, including over £4 million of European Social Fund money, and have the potential to provide additional support to at least 500 employers across Scotland.

Skills Development Scotland will work with training providers and businesses to deliver the 5,000 apprenticeships which will be available to anyone aged 16 and above. This is in addition to the 15,000 opportunities SDS is already offering and brings the total number of training opportunities this year to 39,500.

Damien Yeates, Chief Executive, Skills Development Scotland said:

"Scotland's economy is showing a return to growth. Although this is positive news, economic recovery is fragile and there is a continued need to assist Scottish businesses to upgrade their skills base. Investments such as this allow us to give this support to businesses in a time when they need to be at their most productive, as well as boosting employment opportunities for people across a wide range of sectors."