Budget funds more Modern Apprenticeships and college places

The Scottish Government's Budget Bill has been passed by Parliament, allocating more funding towards education and training.

The measures in the bill include the funding of a record number of Modern Apprenticeship places, plus more money for further education colleges and training for small businesses.  The budget provides for:

• 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships in 2011-12, the highest ever number in Scotland
• an additional £15 million across 2010-11 and 2011-12 in funding for college bursaries
• £8 million for an additional 1,200 college places in 2011-12, covering both teaching and student support costs
• Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) for young people in education to be retained in Scotland
• the provision of an extra 2,000 flexible training opportunities in 2011-12, taking the total to 7,000

Other areas of investment include infrastructure projects for transport, schools and hospitals, more money for urban regeneration companies, and support for businesses and homebuilding schemes.  There will also be guaranteed post-probationary places for newly qualified teachers, after a shortage of jobs at this level in previous years.

The deadline for applications to the flexible training opportunities fund for training before June 30th has been extended to March 31st so that businesses can take advantage of the extra resources available.