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The first ever Scottish Apprenticeship Week will take place from 5-9 September. With the Scottish Government providing a record 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship starts through Skills Development Scotland, now is the time for companies to take on apprentices and build for the future, says Terry Watts, Proskills CEO
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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. This is a goal which has the full support of the Scottish Government. "Across all industries it is vital that we continue to produce the skills and expertise that will support long-term, sustainable, employment and economic growth. We are providing, through Skills Development Scotland, a record 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship starts across Scotland in 2011-12, and 46,500 training opportunities overall," said Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister.
With this kind of support the question isn't why more students aren't going to university, but why more aren't taking apprenticeships, which we know provide both a solid basis for a career and help companies prepare for the future. Vocational learning offers students the chance to gain both valuable professional skills and formal qualifications, which will be invaluable to their employers in the long term. "Support from Government will mean that investment in skills within our workforces will continue to grow, ensuring that in the future our industries will be able to compete at a global level," said Terry Watts, Proskills CEO.
The Government recognises the importance of apprenticeships and vocational learning to our economic future, the onus is now on employers to match this commitment and prepare for a future in which skills and technical knowledge will be increasingly important to commercial success. Apprentices can reinvigorate the workforce and boost productivity; with youth unemployment remaining high, taking on new blood makes both social and economic sense. Support is available for training - it is down to companies to make it happen.
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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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