Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 March 2016
03 Mar 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Modern Apprenticeships
The “Equalities action plan for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland” was published on 2 December and includes specific improvement targets for modern apprenticeship participation by black and minority ethnic people, care leavers and disabled people, and on gender balance. Improvement targets for each group have been included and must be achieved by 2021, and Skills Development Scotland will report on those annually.
Improving the balance of participants from underrepresented groups in the MA programme will not happen overnight, of course, but it is a change that we are determined to see happen.
In the same item of business
4. Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government has done to encourage people to access modern apprenticeships. (S4F-03268)
The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
As Richard Lyle said, the most recent—apologies. We are taking action—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order.
The First Minister
SNP
We are taking action to ensure that we are supporting modern apprenticeships. We have a target, which we have met every year, of 25,000 modern apprenticeship...
Richard Lyle
SNP
On Monday I met two modern apprentices, Paul Reid and Ross Menzies, during my visit to Ingen Technical Services, which is based in Tannochside, in Uddingston...
The First Minister
SNP
Modern apprenticeships are a key element of our approach to economic development and youth employment. They support young people into sustainable and rewardi...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
Part of the seven-year plan that the First Minister mentioned includes the equalities action plan. Will she update the Parliament on progress in that regard,...
The First Minister
SNP
The “Equalities action plan for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland” was published on 2 December and includes specific improvement targets for modern apprenti...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Will the First Minister say what plans the Scottish Government has for its share of the United Kingdom Government’s apprenticeship levy, when that comes to S...
The First Minister
SNP
Well, if Murdo Fraser could get on to his colleagues in the Westminster Government and get them to give us the detail of the apprenticeship levy, we might be...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (Ind)
Ind
An article in Third Force News by the Scottish children’s services coalition indicates that only 0.41 per cent of modern apprenticeship starts in 2014-15 had...
The First Minister
SNP
Work with employers is part of the action plan, because it is employers who we need to persuade of the benefits of making sure that we have a more diverse po...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
If modern apprentices are so important to the First Minister, why is she is cutting the SDS budget in real terms, and why in particular is she planning a 50 ...
The First Minister
SNP
I know that Ken Macintosh will know that we are meeting our targets on modern apprentices. We have a record number of 25,000 modern apprentices. Roseanna Cun...