Apprenticeships Scotland

Apprenticeships are high on the Scottish Government’s agenda with the latest Budget published by the Scottish Parliament in February 2009 including a £16 million commitment to increase apprenticeship recruitment in 2009-10.
 
The Modern Apprenticeships (MA) programme in Scotland opens up high-quality training to industry-recognised standards and helps to ensure that healthcare employers gain a workforce whose training has been tailored to meet their needs.
 
Modern Apprenticeships offer people aged over 16 the chance of paid employment combined with the opportunity to train for jobs at practical, technician and management level. They provide a way to gain skills and qualifications that can help to start a career without having to study full time.

As there is no upper age limit on MAs, the frameworks can be used as the basis for training more mature employees and they are also suitable for new recruits, or for developing existing staff.

Any organisation in Scotland – regardless of size – can take part in the MA programme. Employers may even be able to receive financial support through the Skillseekers initiative.

Skills for Health works closely with healthcare employers in Scotland to make sure that the MA frameworks meet the needs of the sector. Modern Apprenticeships relevant to the healthcare sector in Scotland currently include Health and Social Care, Dental Nursing and Pharmacy.

Work is also underway to examine the suitability of a number of other MA programmes for the healthcare sector covering areas such as Cleaning Management, Administration, Customer Services, Management and Occupational Health and Safety Practice.

Some related links
Modern apprenticeships
Skills development
Skill seeker
Apprenticeship summit