Outcry over axed apprenticeships

May 29 2009

THE recession has claimed the jobs of scores of Ayrshire apprentices.

And much more must be done to ensure they have the chance to complete their training says MSP Cathy Jamieson.

She spoke out after learning that 60 apprentices in South and East Ayrshire have been made redundant since February.

The MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley said: “It is vitally important that these young people get the opportunity to finish their training.

“However, it seems from these figures that the Scottish Government’s support for redundant apprentices isn’t delivering quickly enough.”

First Minister Alex Salmond has given a guarantee that every apprentice made redundant would be supported back into training or employment.

However, two thirds of those affected in Ayrshire are still out of work.

Ms Jamieson added: “The First Minister recently gave a guarantee that every apprentice made redundant will be able to complete their training.

“Some of these young people will have been in training for two or three years and will not have long to go to finish their time.

“We need to make sure that these apprentices complete their training or the time and money invested in training them will go to waste.

“That would be devastating for them and bad news for the local economy.”

Ms Jamieson has also written to South and East Ayrshire Councils asking what they are doing to support training.

She went on: “Local authorities have a vital role to play in supporting training.

“Labour led Glasgow city council have announced a partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board, construction union UCATT and a number of construction companies which will secure hundreds of apprenticeships per year.

“We need to ensure that similar action is being taken locally with support for local firms and training provided to our young people.”