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Training programme expanded
31/03/2008
A Modern Apprenticeship in life sciences is being introduced in Scotland and opportunities in the construction and engineering-related sectors are to be expanded.
The move is part a package of changes to national training programmes announced today by Education and Lifelong Learning Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Willy Roe, the newly appointed Chair of Skills Development Scotland.
Ms Hyslop said:
"The Skills Strategy, Skills for Scotland, clearly sets out the vision for the development and utilisation of skills, to better meet the needs of individuals and employers.
"The establishment of Skills Development Scotland, which is formally launched tomorrow (April 1), is a major step forward in making the changes required to bring this strategy to life.
"We are keen to build on the programmes inherited from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and that's why a number of changes will be made to our national training programmes.
"We want to expand provision to deliver effective skills development opportunities that meet the needs of employers and employees. By doing this we can give Skills Development Scotland the opportunity to develop a coherent programme of training in line with the Government Economic Strategy.
"I am confident that Skills Development Scotland, with Willy Roe at the helm, will bring fresh focus to Scottish skills development.
"Willy Roe will bring a range of leadership experience in the public sector combined with a passion and ideas for the development of skills. He will also be appointed as the Scotland Commissioner for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
"This is an exciting time for skills in Scotland. I have set out a clear vision and principles for Skills Development Scotland and these will guide it in its work to be a catalyst for real and positive change in Scotland's skills performance."
The full package of changes which Skills Development Scotland will implement, in addition to supporting those currently engaged in training programmes, is:
- Developing a Modern Apprenticeship in Life Sciences
- Refocusing support in adult MAs to only construction and engineering related sectors (e.g. plumbing and bricklaying, electricians, shipbuilding, car maintenance and painting), producing an increase in the number of adult MAs in this sector by 50 per cent, assisting an additional 500 people in industries that face particular training pressures
- Increasing the 16-19 year old MAs by 10 per cent in all construction and engineering related sectors, a total of over 500 additional opportunities
- Maintaining support and recruitment for all 16-19 year old MA candidates for 2008-09
- Maintaining the same level of support for the Get Ready for Work and Training for Work programmes
- Providing an additional 6,500 Level 2 MAs through reform of the Skillseeker programme
Willy Roe, Chairman of Skills Development Scotland, added:
"Life Sciences is a key sector for Scotland with a high growth potential and the capacity to boost productivity through enhanced support, including the introduction of modern apprentices. Traditional areas of construction and engineering continue to provide solid returns and with the Commonwealth Games expected to create an additional 1,200 jobs we can see the clear need to continue skill development in this area.
"However outwith these sectors, the outcomes have been less favourable. We therefore need to take a little time, working closely with the key sectors involved, to identify the innovative ways by which we can secure effective workforce development."
Voicing support for the announcement, Dr Peter Hughes, Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering, said:
"Scottish Engineering welcomes the government's approach in emphasising the importance of Modern Apprenticeships in the construction and engineering sectors. This will help to address the difficulties we have with an ageing workforce and help to tackle the current skills shortages."
Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, added:
"Homes for Scotland and its member companies are committed to working with the Scottish Government to meet the challenge of substantially increasing annual levels of new home delivery in Scotland.
"In order to meet the targeted increases in new build volumes, there is an absolute requirement to consider carefully the skills shortages which exist in Scotland and to provide innovative solutions to address these matters. Today's announcement is an example of the kind of positive actions that are needed now if we are to make any significant impact on our future labour and skills market."
Graeme Ogilvy, Director of ConstructionSkills, said:
"Construction has seen a major growth in new entrants to the industry, but future demand requires a step change in numbers. The robust sectoral Labour Market Information supplied by ConstructionSkills evidences this change.
"ConstructionSkills welcomes the commitment by the Scottish Government to grow the number of adult and 16-19 year old Modern Apprentices and looks forward to partnering relevant stakeholders to actively impact on the sustainable economic growth of Scotland."
Skills Development Scotland is a company limited by guarantee, registered as The Skills Development Scotland Co. Limited. Its HQ, as announced on 19 March 2008, will be in Atlantic Quay, Glasgow, alongside Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government. It was created by merging Careers Scotland, learndirect Scotland and most of the skills and training functions of the Enterprise Networks.
The website - www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk - goes live on April 1, 2008. SDS is establishing an operating plan for 2008-09 which is available on the website.
Skills Development Scotland will have 1,500 staff and a budget of £176 million, £176 million and £170 million over the next three years, plus an extra £16 million start-up funding for 2008-09. In addition, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will provide back-office support of about £13 million to SDS e.g. accommodation, IT, printing, payroll.
Life sciences is often described as any of the science disciplines that study living things. This can include research and development into human healthcare, veterinary or agricultural biology.
The National Training Programmes include:
- Get Ready for Work (GRfW) which was introduced in April 2002 and is the national programme for young people who without additional support are unable to access other training, learning or employment opportunities
- The Modern Apprenticeship programme which was introduced in 1995 and provides individuals with the opportunity to combine employment with training by following an industry designed framework which provides accredited qualifications
- Skillseekers which is a vocational training programme aimed at young people aged between 16 and 19 years old. It was first established in the early nineties as a replacement for the Youth Training Scheme (YTS)
- Training for Work which is a vocational training programme for people aged over 18 who have been out of work for over six months or face specific disadvantage in the labour market