Why the new generation of apprentices are a cut above

The Week, co-ordinated by Scotland’s skills agency Skills Development Scotland (SDS), will help shine a spotlight on the benefits work-based learning brings to people of all ages and backgrounds, employers of all sizes and the country. The theme for Scottish Apprenticeship Week is Skills Generation, to recognise that Scottish Apprenticeships are creating the new generation of Scotland’s skilled workforce. Apprenticeships support the Scottish Government’s ambition to harness people’s skills, talents and abilities, to support the nation’s success. 

Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships are generating high quality opportunities for people to help them achieve their full potential. More than 40,000 apprentices are supporting around 12,000 businesses across the country, gaining skills employers need now and in the future.
Scottish Apprenticeships are also generating growth for Scotland’s economy, with every £1 public investment in apprenticeships returning up to £4-5 to the Scottish exchequer. 
As part of the campaign, amazing apprentices and employers from across the length and breadth of the country will be recognised through the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.

Talented Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices have been revealed in their categories alongside individuals, businesses and learning providers who play a vital role supporting and investing in apprenticeships.
Category winners will be announced during Scottish Apprenticeship Week before finding out who has earned the title of Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year.
Small businesses, which make up more than 90 per cent of apprentice employers, will be recognised alongside large employers.
Contenders from the Highlands to the Borders have made the shortlist, which can be found at apprenticeships.scot/awards.

Chair of SDS, Frank Mitchell said: “Scottish Apprenticeships generate vital skills aligned to economic need, while supporting employers to develop new talent.
 “The awards highlight the impact of apprentices across sectors, spotlighting the inspiring organisations and individuals who champion work-based learning.
“Apprenticeships also provide Scotland with a great social return by giving opportunities of enduring careers for many young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas. Congratulations to the finalists whose achievements will be recognised and celebrated in the run up to and during Scottish Apprenticeship Week.” 

Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey said: “Apprenticeships are vital for supporting young people into valuable rewarding careers and helping people upskill, reskill and progress in their chosen careers.  They provide life-changing skills that society needs to build a wellbeing economy, supporting our transition to net zero. Scottish Government’s priority is for high quality apprenticeships that provide sustainable jobs and careers characterised by Fair Work.
“These awards are an important opportunity to recognise the impact of apprentices, their employers and supporters across Scotland and I want to offer my congratulations to all of the award nominees and finalists.” 

£90 billion investment needs net zero skills

A NEW report has assessed the known investment, the skills demand now and in the future, and current training and learning support for green skills in Scotland. CESAP Pathfinder: An Evidence Based Approach to Supporting the Transition to Net Zero states that green investments currently underway, or planned to commence within the next three years, total just under £90 billion. 

Published by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the national skills agency, the latest research follows on from Scotland’s first Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) published in 2020. 
The new report shows that the bulk of the money is being spent in energy transition, transport and construction. Agriculture and manufacturing (including engineering) are the other sectors that will drive demand for skills. 

It also says that competition for key skills across these main industries, along with retirement and existing skills shortages, are key challenges that need to be met. Upskilling and reskilling will also play a critical role to support a move into net zero jobs by existing workers.   
Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Graeme Dey, said: “I welcome the publication of this report which will make a useful contribution to the planning for the skills requirements for the just transition. It identifies new opportunities that are expected to arise in developing sectors and we will look to explore these further going forward.”

Chris Brodie, SDS Director of Regional Skills Planning and Sector Development said: “Green investments with known scale total just under £90 billion and are happening now or due to take place over the next two to three years. Replacing an ageing workforce and offering upskilling to those already working, and reskilling to those who need it will be vital to meeting the demand for skills to capitalise on opportunities from ScotWind, green freeports and hydrogen, and deliver a Just Transition. This research is underpinned by a significant amount of work in what is a complex area.” 

Among its investment findings, the research also shows that energy transition has the highest levels of known investment with £58.5bn (65 per cent of all known green investment) with renewable electricity from offshore wind accounting for the majority of that spend. 
The levels of known investment with a high likelihood of progressing are greatest in the Highlands and Islands, Edinburgh City Region, Aberdeen City and Shire, Tay Cities and Glasgow City Region, but other regions across Scotland will also benefit. 

Apprenticeships are well aligned to green sectors in Scotland with nearly 30 per cent of Modern Apprenticeship starts and 38 per cent of Graduate Apprenticeship starts in sectors of importance to the transition to net zero. A high proportion of these starts are in construction. The research builds on the Green Jobs in Scotland report from December 2022, which defined a green job in Scotland, and showed they are on average higher paid.  
Read the full report at sds.co.uk/what-we-do/skills-planning/green-skills-research-and-evidence