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The first ever Scottish apprenticeship week will take place from 5-9 September, aiming to encourage more companies to take on apprentices. Expanding vocational learning opportunities will both support regional economic development and help companies prepare for the future, says Linda McCourt, Proskills Scotland Manager
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The first ever Scottish Apprenticeship week will take place from 5-9 September 2011, aiming to encourage more employers to take on apprentices. With the Scottish Government providing an extra 25,000 apprenticeship places through Skills Development Scotland, now is the time for companies to take on apprentices and prepare for the future, according to Proskills Scotland Manager Linda McCourt. "There are great opportunities out there for Scottish companies to recruit new blood and help them develop the skills that will drive industry forward," she said.
By taking on apprentices and helping them develop practical skills small and medium-sized enterprises can play a major part in this process. Andrew Watt started an apprenticeship at Shetland Islands-based company Paparwark Furniture in 2006; having developed his technical skills and gained professional qualifications he is now a fully-fledged member of staff. "The apprenticeship has been so important to me," he said. "There's no way I would have been able to do this work and gain these qualifications without it."
The company has also benefitted from taking on an apprentice, as Andrew is now a highly trained upholsterer, which has enabled the company to take orders for a wider range of products. "Apprenticeships in the process and manufacturing industry allow people to earn and learn at the same time by combining on and off the job training. They ensure that learners are trained in the skills that are relevant to their work and to the business at the same time as increasing motivation and company loyalty," said Proskills CEO Terry Watts.
Expanding vocational learning programmes will not only offer students the chance to develop important skills and build their professional experience, but also support regional economic development. This was a prime motivation behind the UK Government's decision to establish the £1.4 billion Regional Growth Fund, through which businesses and local communities will be able to bid for money to boost private sector growth, part of the wider goal of re-balancing the economy and moving away from the over-dependence on financial services that characterised the last decade.
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Notes to Editors:
About Proskills Group
Proskills UK Group comprises Proskills UK - the Sector Skills Council for Process and Manufacturing Sector and the Proskills Academy.
Proskills UK is the bridge between employers and Government on skills and training.
Proskills is employer-led by nine key industries; Building Products, Coatings, Extractives, Furniture, Glass, Glazed Ceramics, Paper, Print and Wood, which make a third of the UK manufacturing sector. Proskills UK helps to raise the profile and sets the skills standards and qualifications for the sector and ensures that the skills and funding delivers against the current and future needs of the industries.
As the commercial arm of Proskills UK, National Skills Academy, Materials, Production & Supply is the first step in identifying and accessing the training your business needs to reduce costs and boost productivity.
Contact Information
Patrick Truss
Proskills UK
85b Centurion Court
Abingdon
OX14 4RY
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