SCOTTISH BUSINESSES OFFERED £1000 TO RECRUIT AN APPRENTICE
SNP MSP John Wilson has welcomed the news that Scottish businesses of all sizes and in all sectors are to be given the opportunity to receive £1000 to take on a new Apprentice.
The Education and Lifelong Learning Secretary, Michael Russell has announced the latest strand of the ‘Invest in an Apprentice’ scheme, and has also launched the national marketing campaign ahead of the Jobs Summit – Keep Scotland Working in Glasgow.
The Scottish Government have allocated £4 million this financial year to offer a grant of £1,000 for all employers that take on an apprentice of any age between 11 January and 26 March 2010. This incentive is available for up to 4000 employers.
This scheme forms part of ScotAction which 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.
John Wilson MSP, a member of the Local Government and Communities Committee, said “The Scottish Government is doing everything it can to help the Scottish economy through the recession and through ScotAction we are continuing to provide real financial support to businesses and individuals.
“Offering all businesses across Scotland £1000 to take on a new apprentice will benefit our hard working companies and employers who continue to fight the effects of the recession. It will also provide increased skills training opportunities to thousands of individuals across Scotland.
“Apprentices are vital for Scotland’s recovery; therefore everything must be done to ensure that businesses continue to invest in training for the people who will be our workforce of the future.
“Our whole economy has faced massive challenges over recent months. However, in order to ensure that our economy continues to be competitive in a global market over the next few years, we need to invest now in people who can develop the skills we will need in the future.”