National campaign to show apprenticeships are Made for Business  

Co-ordinated by Skills Development Scotland and supported by the Scottish Government and a wide range of national and local partners, the campaign will also celebrate the winners of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.  

Talented young people and top employers across the country are in the running for the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards. 

 The vital role of learning providers will also be recognised when winners of the awards are announced on 27 February. 

 Contenders across the country, from the north of Scotland to the Borders, have made the shortlist, and one talented nominee will be crowned the nation’s Apprentice of the Year.  

There are currently around 12,000 apprentice employers in Scotland, investing in approximately 40,000 apprentices to find new talent and diversify their workforce. 

Scottish Apprenticeships are available in Scotland’s key sectors, providing opportunities for people to get the skills employers want.  

Scottish Apprenticeship Week will demonstrate how Scottish Apprenticeships are critical to help grow and expand the nation’s workforce, giving people skills to thrive. 

 Businesses say that Modern Apprentices help boost productivity and enable them to benefit from staff retention. Modern Apprentice achievement rates are high and nearly nine in 10 qualified apprentices are still working with the employer they started their apprenticeship with. 

Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey said: “Scottish Apprenticeships are vital for nurturing an inclusive, skills-driven, and resilient workforce that aligns with Scotland's economic ambitions, not to mention helping our young people into sustainable and rewarding employment. 

“Apprenticeships drive industry investment in skills, providing equity and access to opportunities helping to enhance Scotland’s competitive edge. 

“The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards will show the positive impact that apprenticeships have on people, business and society.” 

Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell, said: “Created in collaboration with industry, Scottish Apprenticeships help employers build a skilled and diverse workforce.  Designed by employers, apprenticeships foster innovation, economic growth, and new opportunities. 

“Apprenticeships also provide Scotland with a great social return, by giving opportunities of enduring careers for many young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas. 

“Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a time for all those who support and benefit from apprenticeships to demonstrate how they are made for business, people and Scotland.”