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Adopt an Apprentice
10/06/2009
A skills support package to help support Scotland's economy out of recession and back to economic growth was launched today.
Phase One of ScotAction - the 'Adopt An Apprentice' Scheme - where employers will be paid up to £2,000 to recruit a redundant apprentice, was launched in Edinburgh by Education and Lifelong Learning Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
This is a key aspect of delivering on the Scottish Government's guarantee to apprentices to find them alternative employment to enable them to complete their Modern Apprenticeship.
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.
Ms Hyslop met redundant apprentice Paul Bon who will now, thanks to Government funding, will be taken on as an apprentice with Protective and Decorative Surface Coatings Ltd.
Ms 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.
"Phase One of ScotAction is our 'Adopt An Apprentice' Scheme. I heard, first hand, at the Apprenticeship Summit that a financial incentive for employers would encourage them to recruit apprentices affected by redundancy. Today, only six weeks later, all employers can recruit a redundant apprentice in return for £2000 support from the Scottish Government.
"Apprentices are vital for Scotland's for recovery. That is why the Scottish Government announced a huge increase in funding of £16 million for 7,800 new apprenticeships this year. 'Adopt An Apprentice' is a £1.7 million initiative, supported by the European Social Fund, which will help 575 redundant apprentices.
"Unlike other countries, this scheme is open to all ages of apprentice and all sectors and I am delighted that as a result of this initiative there is the potential for all apprentices across Scotland to be given the opportunity to complete their training.
"Over the next few weeks I will be announcing further support through ScotAction to help employers recruit and retain apprentices. The success of the 'Adopt An Apprentice' scheme ultimately rests with employers and I would urge them to take advantage of this exciting new offer."
Graeme Ogilvy, Director for ConstructionSkills Scotland said:
"We welcome today's funding announcement by the Scottish Government which will be crucial in assisting apprentices who have been affected by the downturn.
"In the current economic climate, like many other sectors, it is a challenging time for the construction industry. Apprentices are the lifeblood of this industry and it is important that we invest in the continuing development and training of the next generation of workers.
"ConstructionSkills currently offers an Apprenticeship Matching Service which matches displaced apprentices to another suitable employer but with the help of the funding from the Scottish Government, we remain committed to supporting apprentices, and employers, across Scotland."
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.
The commitment to provide £2,000 for employers to take on a redundant apprentice was outlined by the First Minister in Parliament on May 28, 2009. 'Adopt an Apprentice' provides support for 575 redundant apprentices and covers all sectors and all of Scotland. It is being supported by ESF secured for both the Lowlands and Uplands and Highlands and Islands areas. The Total Value of these projects is £1.7 million. ESF is providing £657,000 for this project in Lowlands and Uplands Scotland and £124,000 for this project in Highlands and Islands.
For more information on the 'Adopt An Apprentice' scheme telephone 0808 100 1855.
The Scottish Government has made clear that it will be guaranteeing continued training for apprentices who lose their job due to the current downturn. We 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, we will ensure they are able to complete alternative, relevant training.
In addition to providing a range of financial support, and in direct response to employers' concerns that it is not easy to know what skills support is available to help them and their employees through the downturn, ScotAction will communicate what is on offer through Scottish Government programmes.
Protective & Decorative Surface Coatings Ltd. is based in Rosewell Midlothian. They have 30 employees, six of whom are current apprentices.