Apprenticeships are made for business, agree top industry leaders
Business leaders across Scotland have stressed the crucial role apprenticeships play to address the country’s major skills gaps.
Developed in partnership with employers, Scottish Apprenticeships are designed to meet business needs, helping all industries build a skilled, diverse workforce to thrive.
National trade and industry organisations are backing Scottish Apprenticeship Week from 3 – 7 March. The campaign will show that apprenticeships are made for business, created in partnership with employers, for employers, making skilled individuals that support their businesses now and for the future.
Catherine McWilliam, National Director, IOD Scotland, said: “Business leaders take seriously their responsibility to future proof their workforce with the skills required to take full advantage of the economic opportunities that lie ahead. Apprenticeships deliver by developing the next skills generation to help businesses compete in an ever-changing world.”
Prosper works with leaders from all sectors with a focus to transform Scotland’s economy. Chief Executive, Sara Thiam, understands the common workforce challenges that are felt across industries, and promotes apprenticeships as a key solution. She said: “Labour market supply and skills shortages continue to be a serious constraint on delivery for many businesses and organisations across sectors. Scottish Apprenticeships are critical in addressing skills shortages by helping to grow and expand the nation’s workforce.”
Apprenticeships are a crucial part of workforce planning, especially in high-demand sectors like construction, engineering, financial services and energy.
Michelle Ferguson, Director, CBI Scotland, said: “Made for business, Scottish Apprenticeships will be critical in building the future workforce we know is needed in the construction of electricity transmission infrastructure and streamline grid connections that will ultimately contribute to economic growth and energy security.”
Sandy Begbie CBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise agrees, and highlights the role of apprenticeships in tackling workforce challenges across many businesses.
He said: “Apprenticeships are a key pathway into financial services and significantly contribute in delivering the talent our sector needs to succeed and grow against the backdrop of a shrinking working age population in Scotland. They continue to aid businesses in the sector to attract and support people across all backgrounds into a successful and fulfilling career in our industry.”
Looking to Scotland’s engineering sector, it’s clear that apprenticeships are vital in meeting the growing demand for skilled workers.
Paul Sheerin, Chief Executive, Scottish Engineering said: “Our recent skills gap survey found that the existing industry in Scotland needs an additional 58% of new engineers across 31 key roles by the end of 2027, over three quarters of which are delivered by apprenticeship programmes.
“Engineering skills underpin our entire economy and society and the role apprenticeships will play in addressing these skills gaps to fully realise the economic opportunities ahead is clear.”
Joe Pacitti, Managing Director of the Centre for Engineering, Education and Development (CeeD) Scotland agrees: “The need to meet the current and future demands on industry skills is very apparent in engineering and manufacturing. Apprenticeships are seen by businesses in the sector as being fundamental to building the future workforce they will rely upon in the years to come so future supply of apprentices must meet the sector’s growing demand.”
Across Scotland, around 12,000 businesses employ apprentices, demonstrating the widespread impact of apprenticeships to companies of all sizes.
Colin Borland, Director of Devolved Nations at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland said: “SMEs play a major role in creating apprenticeship opportunities across the country to support their workforce needs, with over 90% of apprentice employers being SMEs. FSB is committed to supporting the positive impact of apprentices in Scotland through our work with small business employers, training providers and young people.”
Looking across the issue, Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce said: “Business sectors have made their voices clear: we need more apprenticeships and skills development programmes to upskill our future workforce and remain competitive on a global stage.
“Scottish Apprenticeships designed in collaboration with employers, will play a vital role in closing the skills gap and driving sustained growth and innovation.”
Learn more about apprenticeships
Explore how apprenticeships can help businesses meet skills challenges, grow and thrive at apprenticeships.scot.