New measures to boost access to Modern Apprenticeships

The measures were announced by minister for employability and training Jamie Hepburn at the Scotland Policy Seminar: Priorities for Skills Development and Apprenticeships in Edinburgh.

Following consultation with employers, providers and stakeholders, changes will come into effect for providers delivering Modern Apprenticeships in 2017-18:

Mr Hepburn said: “Modern Apprenticeships are integral to making sure young people have opportunities to access the labour market, can develop their skills and achieve industry recognised qualifications, while also supporting industry to meet their current and future workforce needs.

“It’s crucial that we have a workforce with the right skills to meet our social and economic needs and which will be responsive and resilient to future changes, such as the severe economic threat posed by the UK government’s plans to leave the European Union.

“In response to the UK government’s plans for the Apprenticeships Levy, we are committed to building a distinctly Scottish approach that meets the needs of the Scottish economy. We recently consulted with employers and wider stakeholders to inform how best we can do this, and the measures I am announcing today are in direct response to the issues raised during that consultation.

“Taking account of the fact they will be required to pay the new Levy, from April next year, we will be removing current eligibility restrictions from public sector employers, giving the same access to funding across the private, third and public sectors.

“In response to feedback from that consultation we are also expanding the number of frameworks in Scotland that will offer funding for those over 25.

“The new Rural Supplement will ensure that employers and young people in some of the more remote parts of Scotland are not disadvantaged, while the new measures to support those with experience of care and with disabilities will also improve access and the success of completion in the programme.

“In Scotland we are seeing real success in supporting young people into work. We surpassed our target to deliver 25,500 Modern Apprenticeship last year and we are moving towards our commitment to fund 30,000 starts by 2020, which means even more people and employers will be able to benefit from work based learning and apprenticeships.”

Skills Development Scotland director of national training programme, Katie Hutton, added: “Modern Apprenticeships are designed to meet employer demand as well as providing individuals with the opportunity to work, learn and earn.

“These changes mean more individuals and employers across Scotland will be able to benefit from apprenticeships and work based learning.”