Skills Strategy Hitting Scotland’s Targets

Strathaven based MSP Linda Fabiani has welcomed news of the introduction of a Modern Apprenticeship scheme in life sciences and expansion in the construction and engineering-related sectors.

The move is part a package of changes to national training programmes jointly announced by the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland, a new body created by the amalgamation of Careers Scotland, learndirect Scotland and most of the skills and training functions of the Enterprise Networks.

Ms Fabiani said:
“This Skills Strategy, Skills for Scotland, is a welcome vision for the development and utilisation of our skills base in Scotland, which will better meet the needs of individuals and employers.

“A town such as East Kilbride, with its high level of industrial development, will benefit hugely from the establishment of Skills Development Scotland.

“We are keen to expand the opportunities for skills development amongst employers and employees so that the chances available to people reflect the skills that are needed in a modern society. 

“Far from this government lacking in its ambitions for Scotland we are showing that we are all to ready to invest in Scotland’s working future. 

“This programme of skills training includes developing a Modern Apprenticeship in Life Sciences, supporting adult Modern Apprenticeships in the 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,  increasing the number of 16-19 year old MAs by 10 per cent in all construction and engineering related sectors and providing an additional 6,500 Level 2 MAs.

“With the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow we expect an additional 1,200 jobs to be created in construction and engineering and we can see the clear need to continue skills development in this area.

“We know that these Modern Apprenticeships are being welcomed by Scottish industry because they will help to address the issue of an ageing workforce and tackle the current skills shortages.

“There is also a dire need to tackle the housing shortages in towns like East Kilbride and the Scottish Government will be meeting the challenge of substantially increasing the levels of new homes in Scotland. We need to have the skills base to meet the challenges that lie ahead in these areas”