Industry Today - Are you into it?
New Users - Register click here
The first ever Scottish Apprenticeship week will take place from 5-9 September 2011, offering a great opportunity to highlight the value of vocational education and build the skills of the workforce, says Proskills Scotland manager Linda McCourt
Posted via Industry Today. Are you into it? Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
The first ever Scottish Apprenticeship week will take place from 5-9 September 2011 against a backdrop of mixed economic signals. Unemployment in Scotland grew by 1,000 between April and June 2011, yet the country accounted for almost all the UK's net gain in employment over the same period. John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, says apprenticeships are a crucial part of the Government's plans to address unemployment. "Our actions this year will support a total of 46,500 training opportunities including 25,000 modern apprenticeships, the highest ever number in Scotland," he stressed. "We are also delivering £10 million to support up to 5,000 people into work across Scotland's small business community."
The Government has committed a further £10 million to help young unemployed people into work and provide training opportunities across Scotland's third sector. Overall, unemployment levels in Scotland have dropped significantly over the past two years, which Swinney said validated the Government's approach. "These figures emphasise the importance of the measures we are taking to support the creation of new employment and training opportunities," he said. ""We are pressing the UK Government to boost the economic responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament to ensure that we have the job-creating powers Scotland needs to support more jobs and growth, and put us on the path to long-term success."
This will need to be underpinned by skills development and continued training across the workforce, according to Linda McCourt, Proskills Manager for Scotland. "The Scottish economy is showing positive signs, but we still need to ensure that people have more opportunities to develop their professional skills, and that the qualifications on offer reflect the needs of industry," she said. Proskills aims to provide an effective voice for the Process and Manufacturing Sector, and is working closely with employers to assess their skills needs. "Training and apprenticeships are crucial to the future of the industries we represent, and we aim to help companies develop their skills base so they are better able to deal with emerging challenges," said Linda.
- END -
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
BACK TO TOP