Cash for apprentices is just the business

Nov 6 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BUSINESSES are to be offered £2000 to recruit an apprentice.

Small and medium sized organisations in manufacturing, textiles, food and drink and energy sectors will be given the financial incentive by the Scottish Government to take on a new apprentice.

And the news has been welcomed by MSP Adam Ingram.

He said: “Apprentices are vital for Scotland’s economic recovery and I hope small and medium sized businesses in Ayrshire take advantage of this incentive to take on a new 16 to19-year-old apprentice.

“This scheme reinforces the Scottish government’s action to support modern apprenticeships and demonstrates that the SNP is delivering practical help to grow businesses, create jobs and support employment.

“I would emphasise how taking an apprentice on will benefit, not only small and medium sized businesses in Ayrshire, but will also offer a fantastic opportunity to the young people in our community.”

First Minister Alex Salmond pledged to support every apprentice who was made redundant in the grip of the recession.

But earlier this year, Cathy Jamieson MSP said the government were not doing enough.

She revealed that 60 apprentices had been made redundant between February and June.

And two thirds were still out of work.

She said: “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.”