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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2026 [Draft]

12 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Budget 2026-27 (Apprenticeships)
Macpherson, Ben SNP Edinburgh Northern and Leith Watch on SPTV

Further detail would be required to answer that question properly, including what engagement there has been with the college and with Skills Development Scotland, and how those opportunities are being offered and facilitated. I am happy for the member to follow that up with me, but I also suggest and encourage engagement with Skills Development Scotland and Ayrshire College.

There are remarkable opportunities in Ayrshire. I went to Ayrshire College and saw that it does phenomenal work, including its collaboration with the private sector and the consideration that it is giving to making sure that there are appropriate public sector priorities and opportunities. We need to ensure that we celebrate and recognise the creative industries, which were mentioned, because they are a massive contributor to not only our economic success but our cultural enrichment, which we and others around the world enjoy.

In the same item of business

7. Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP
To ask the Scottish Government how its budget 2026-27 will support apprenticeships. (S6O-05641)
The Minister for Higher and Further Education (Ben Macpherson) SNP
We are providing around £198 million in 2026-27 to support 25,500 new modern apprenticeships, 5,000 new foundation apprenticeships and more than 1,200 new gr...
Jackie Dunbar SNP
It is vital that Scotland’s young people have support and opportunities to access the pathways that best fit their interests and skill sets. Following Scotti...
Ben Macpherson SNP
It is important to acknowledge that the latest school leaver statistics show that 95.7 per cent of young people entered a positive destination in 2025, which...
Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con) Con
When I attended the launch of the future roofing programme at Prestwick academy on 27 February, I spoke to the school, industry and young people about the ro...
Ben Macpherson SNP
Further detail would be required to answer that question properly, including what engagement there has been with the college and with Skills Development Scot...