New Action On Economy Announced

0 - 0 • Published 10 Jun 2009 11:33 0 Comments

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Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop today launched the Scottish Government's skills support package to help support Scotland�s economy out of recession and back to economic growth.

The Cabinet Secretary launched the package on a visit to the Usher Hall in Edinburgh today. She outlined Phase One of ScotAction - the 'Adopt An Apprentice' Scheme - in which employers will be paid up to £2000 to recruit a redundant apprentice. This is a key aspect of delivering on the Scottish Government�s guarantee to apprentices to find them alternative employment to enable them to complete their Modern Apprenticeship.

ScotAction 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.

Today Fiona Hyslop met with redundant apprentice Paul Bon who will now, thanks to Government funding, will be taken on as an apprentice with Protective and Decorative Surface Coatings Ltd.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop said:

"This Government is committed to doing everything that we can to help people in this current economic climate and ScotAction is the Scottish Government's skills support package for providing real financial support to businesses and individuals through the recession.

"Phase One of ScotAction is our 'Adopt An Apprentice' Scheme. I heard, first hand, at the Apprenticeship Summit that a financial incentive for employers would encourage them to recruit apprentices affected by redundancy. Today, only six weeks later, all employers can recruit a redundant apprentice in return for £2000 support from the Scottish Government.

"Apprentices are vital for Scotland�s for recovery. That is why the Scottish Government announced a huge increase in funding of £16 million for 7,800 new apprenticeships this year. 'Adopt An Apprentice' is a £1.7 million initiative, supported by the European Social Fund, which will help 575 redundant apprentices.

"Unlike other countries, this scheme is open to all ages of apprentice and all sectors and I am delighted that as a result of this initiative there is the potential for all apprentices across Scotland to be given the opportunity to complete their training.

"Over the next few weeks I will be announcing further support through ScotAction to help employers recruit and retain apprentices. The success of the 'Adopt An Apprentice' scheme ultimately rests with employers and I would urge them to take advantage of this exciting new offer.

Graeme Ogilvy, Director for ConstructionSkills Scotland said:

"We welcome today�s funding announcement by the Scottish Government which will be crucial in assisting apprentices who have been affected by the downturn.

"In the current economic climate, like many other sectors, it is a challenging time for the construction industry. Apprentices are the lifeblood of this industry and it is important that we invest in the continuing development and training of the next generation of workers.

"ConstructionSkills currently offers an Apprenticeship Matching Service which matches displaced apprentices to another suitable employer but with the help of the funding from the Scottish Government, we remain committed to supporting apprentices, and employers, across Scotland."

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