This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Henry McLeish urges Scottish companies to follow Speyside example
27/08/1999
Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister, Henry McLeish today commended three Speyside companies on being excellent examples of thriving indigenous Scottish businesses.
Along with his Ministerial team of Nicol Stephen and Alasdair Morrison, Mr McLeish visited Speyside Cooperage, Glenfiddich Distillery and Walkers Shortbread Ltd. The tour was part of a programme of visits throughout Scotland to meet people involved in education, industry and training.
Mr McLeish said:
"These indigenous Scottish companies make a first class contribution to the local and national economies, in terms of employment, training, revenue and tourism. They are each an example of forward looking, family-owned companies. Their rural location has not held back their progress, in fact they are helped and inspired by the quality of workforce in this area.
"This Government is fully committed to providing young people in Scotland with the skills they need for life and work. To help achieve this we have put in place the Skillseekers and New Deal programmes. Already more than 32,000 people have benefited from the New Deal programme, with over 10,000 securing sustained employment and around 9,000 participating in work experience or full-time education and training.
"Today I want to pay tribute to a more traditional approach of passing on skills to young people. At Speyside Cooperage new employees are being given a future through traditional apprenticeships. Skills that cannot be matched by a machine. I applaud the opportunities that this trade continues to give young people. So while it is right for us to promote the New Deal and Skillseekers, including the Modern Apprenticeship programme, let us not forget the importance of other training techniques.
"This year marks the 30th anniversary of Glenfiddich Distillery's Visitor Centre. It is one of Scotland's top tourist attractions and has attracted almost 2.5 million visitors since it opened. Guided tours are offered in six foreign languages, an indication of the international standing of Glenfiddich. Meanwhile, Walkers boasts an impressive range of goods, exported all over the world, including whisky and champagne flavoured shortbread which was launched earlier this year in celebration of the millennium.
"I am impressed by the high quality of products made by these companies and the skills required to achieve this. These companies are excellent examples of the kind of innovative and well run indigenous businesses Scotland needs. I will do all I can to create the conditions to encourage many more Scottish entrepreneurs to follow these Speyside companies lead."
News Release: SE0429/99
27 August, 1999