Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a significant part of our work to address youth employment and develop Scotland's workforce.
Apprenticeships are delivered by Skills Development Scotland, our national skills body.
The Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board provides employer leadership and contributes to the development of apprenticeships in Scotland.
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs)
In a Modern Apprenticeship you learn on the job, you get the experience you need, you work towards a recognised qualification and like any other job you get paid.
We have introduced changes to MAs including:
- a rural supplement for training providers in recogntion of the additional costs for delivering in rural areas
- the removal of public sector eligibility restrictions meaning that public sector employers have the same access to Modern Appprenticeship funding
- more opportunities for people aged over 25
- enhanced contribution rates providing young disabled people and those with experience of care with the highest level of funding up to and including the age of 29
Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships at Skills Development Scotland
Foundation Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeships are designed to help young people in S5 and S6 gain valuable, real work experience and access work-based learning as part of their senior phase experience.
They can provide young people with a a head start on a career by providing industry-recognised qualifications and experience employers are looking for.
We have expanded the scheme since it started in 2016 and will make up to 5,000 Foundation Apprenticeships available in Scotland's schools by 2019.
Find out more about Foundation Apprenticeships at Skills Development Scotland
Graduate Level Apprenticeships
Graduate Level Apprenticeships enable people to study for degree-level courses while in employment.
Just under 900 places have been made available in 2018, following a pilot scheme in 2016.
The programme aims to meet the needs of employers looking for high levels of academic and industry accreditation with experience in the workplace.
Find out more about Graduate Level Apprenticeships at Skills Development Scotland
UK Government apprenticeship levy
The UK government introduced a UK wide apprenticeship levy in April 2017. Employers will pay 0.5% of an annual pay bill of more than £3 million.
We will use Scotland's share of the levy to support skills, training and employment.
We have published seven things you need to know about Scottish apprenticeships.
Equalities
Skills Development Scotland introduced an apprenticeship equalities action plan in 2015, to help more young people from diverse backgrounds to benefit from training opportunities.
A year one update on the action plan was published in July 2017.
Further information
If you want to find or advertise an apprenticeship vacancy go to https://www.apprenticeships.scot/