Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop announces investment in Modern Apprenticeships at Macphie

During a visit to food ingredients manufacturer, Macphie of Glenbervie, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, announced that she would provide funding for an extra 600 management Modern Apprenticeships.

Employers across the country will be able to receive Government support for these high value management posts. Recent evidence from Sector Skills Councils has highlighted the issue of management and leadership across many sectors and states that support for management skills will help ensure companies are able to innovate and continue to take advantage of opportunities for growth even in the current economic climate

The funding for the management Modern Apprenticeships is part of ScotAction - the Scottish Government’s skills support package to help support Scotland’s economy out of recession and back to economic growth. 

Announcing the 600 extra places, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop said: “This Government is committed to doing everything that we can to help people in this current economic climate and ScotAction is the Scottish Government’s skills support package for providing real financial support to businesses and individuals through the recession.

“Apprentices are vital for Scotland’s recovery.  That is why the Scottish Government announced a huge increase in funding of £16 million for 7,800 new apprenticeships this year. Our whole economy has faced massive challenges over recent months. However, in order to ensure that our economy continues to be competitive in a global market over the next few years we need to invest now in people who can develop high level management and leadership skills. The action that this Government has taken to support Modern Apprenticeships demonstrates that where we have the powers, we can deliver for the people of Scotland – and deliver quickly.”

The Cabinet Secretary also took the opportunity to formally invite entries for the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards. The awards are open to apprentices, learning providers, colleges and employers who have contributed significantly to the development of the Modern Apprenticeship programme in Scotland. The 2009 Awards will showcase those who have, through their involvement in Modern Apprenticeships, demonstrated initiative, enterprise and outstanding commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Scottish economy.