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New retail apprenticeships
11/08/2009
Funding will be provided for an extra 2000 Modern Apprenticeships in the Scottish Retail sector.
Employers such as New Look, Tesco, Asda, Superdrug and Sainsbury's are working with Skills Development Scotland to take on apprentices of all ages as a result of the Government's financial support.
The funding for the Retail 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 2000 extra places at the New Look flagship store at Silverburn, Glasgow 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. The retail sector has been far from immune - but its future success will be absolutely vital to our economic recovery. That is why we want to ensure that those entering the sector develop the necessary skills to succeed.
"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."
Damien Yeates, chief executive for Skills Development Scotland said:
"Modern Apprenticeships are a great means to help equip people with valuable skills and the necessary experience required to help them fulfil their ambitions and progress their careers.
"This latest funding announcement will help provide a large number of people with a bright future and purpose in life. This opportunity will not only enhance their job prospects but will also boost their self confidence. In the long term it will also help to benefit the economy and encourage growth in the retail sector."
The Scottish Government has announced much support for the Apprenticeship Programme over the last few months. £6 million has been made available to fund an additional 1,000 apprentices in Glasgow over the next 3 years to support the Commonwealth Games legacy, it has funded 50 apprentices in the Creative Sector and announced funding for 100 apprenticeships for Home Energy and Efficiency in partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy. It has also been announced that a new apprenticeship framework for the Life Science industry has been developed to support the growth of one of our key sectors in Scotland. In June the First Minister announced that the Government would fund 2 for 1 Life Science Apprenticeships. The Cabinet Secretary also announced the 'Adopt An Apprentice' scheme where employers can receive a helping hand of £2000 to employ a redundant apprentice and the Government has also introduced an additional 170 early years modern apprenticeships.
Skills Development Scotland, Scotland's national skills agency, will play a leading role in taking forward the delivery of the initiatives that ScotAction will deliver for Scotland at this time.
ScotAction is an integrated package combining new and improved measures to help individuals and businesses through the recession and will provide skills assistance - including wage subsidies in some circumstances - for training for work, training in work and training from work to work to help Scottish people and businesses survive the downturn and thrive when the economy starts to recover.
The Scottish Government has made clear that it will be guaranteeing continued training for apprentices who lose their job due to the current downturn. The Scottish Government will be working with all the relevant organisations to ensure that everything possible is done to find alternative employment to enable them to complete their MA. Where that is not possible, the Scottish Government will ensure they are able to complete alternative, relevant training.