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1. Aim of the Consultation
1.1 The aim of this consultation is to gather views to inform Ministers on how we propose to improve the current Modern Apprenticeship Programme ( MAs). Since its introduction in the mid 1990s the programme has gone from strength to strength. Originally designed as a tool to support a valid and structured mechanism for developing young people's skills and competence in the workplace, it has evolved into a far broader programme. Employers quickly identified the benefits of this approach and have enthusiastically used MAs as an integral component of their workforce development strategies, so much so that there are now around 16,000 employers actively engaged in the MA programme. We have been committed to increasing our support for the MA programme and this has been matched by substantial investment. The number of individuals participating in the MA programme has grown from a handful in 1995 to around 32,000 and in the last 5 years the number of participants has more than doubled.
1.2 But MAs have been a success for people of all ages, given that we lifted the age limit of 25 in 2001. There are now around 8,000 MAs who are over 25 years old and many of these are individuals who are retraining in support of a career change or are being provided the opportunity for their skills to be recognised and developed within their current workplace. Although the youngest MA is 16 we now have many who are in their 40s and 50s. Our oldest MA so far has been 62, so the programme truly reflects the diverse nature of Scotland's workforce.
1.3 Since the introduction of MAs more than 49,000 individuals have successfully completed the programme. Due to the range of specific and transferable skills gained through the programme, Scotland's MAs are well placed to respond to the emerging challenges ahead of them. Around 60% of all MAs successfully complete the programme in Scotland and this represents a significant increase in recent years, from 48% in 2002/03. But we know that the vast majority of those who do not complete leave their training to enter higher or further education, or into another job. This is one of the strengths of the programme as they leave with skills and confidence which cannot be viewed as anything other than a positive outcome.
1.4 Against this background, our aim is to refine the current MA programme and ensure it is fit for the needs of the 21st century. This paper proposes that MAs are extended to level 2. It also seeks your views on some specific aspects of the existing MA programme as well as setting out the proposed next steps in the process. In addition to this written consultation, we intend to hold meetings and workshops where you will be able to present your comments in person.
1.5 We do not believe that delivery and funding issues should overly influence the design of the MA policy framework and have therefore not dwelt on these issues in this paper. It will be for others - specifically the Enterprise Networks, Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA) and the Skills for Business Network ( SfBN) - to determine how best to revise their delivery to fit with the future policy direction.
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