As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Fiona Hyslop has urged employers in West Lothian to apply for the SNP Government’s £15 million Apprenticeship Employer Grant.
Marking Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Fiona has encouraged employers to make the most of the fund which would provide £5,000 for taking on or upskilling a 16 to 24-year old apprentice for those aged up to 29 years who are disabled, care leavers and minority ethnic, and £3,500 for taking on or upskilling an apprentice over 25.
Apprenticeships are an integral part to the Scottish Government’s ‘Young Persons Guarantee’, which was introduced by Fiona in her Ministerial role. The ‘Young Persons Guarantee’ ensures that everyone aged 16 to 24-years old has the opportunity to access work, education or training.
The Apprenticeship grant will help increase the number of employers able to take on an apprentice or upskill an existing staff member. The fund closes on 25th March or until funding levels are exceeded.
Fiona commented,
“As part of Scottish Apprenticeship week, I spoke with young people completing a Foundation Apprenticeship from school and Graduate Apprenticeships. Graduate Apprenticeships allow individuals to gain experience and a university degree whilst working for a company, and it was great to hear first-hand how good the experience is.
“To mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the ‘Scottish Apprenticeship Awards’ took place virtually on Thursday the 4th March and it was wonderful to see that the Apprenticeship Ambassador of the Year was won by Cameron MacDonald from Bathgate.
“In my role as Cabinet Secretary, I was privileged to announce Samir Khan as Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year. Apprenticeships will play a key role in our recovery from the pandemic, and I would like to thank all businesses for their commitment and hard work during this difficult time.
“The Scottish Government has recruitment support for employers from £3000 to £5000 to encourage the employment of an apprentice. I am urging local businesses in West Lothian to register for the scheme and take on an apprentice to help create jobs and be involved in teaching our young people new skills.”
ENDS
NOTES
More info on the grant can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-25-million-apprenticeship-support/
Employers can apply here: https://www.apprenticeships.scot/for-employers/apprenticeship-employer-grant/