Meeting of the Parliament 24 June 2026 [Draft]
The member needs to spend some more time understanding how we deliver the different opportunities within our system, through the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland. Those streams—apprenticeships, college funding and university funding—are coming together, which will provide a better operational position for achieving parity of esteem between the different choices that people make and creating even more collaboration across the system.
The apprenticeship levy is a subject that has been raised with me multiple times during my tenure in this role, including in the chamber. We are committed to working with industry to provide more apprenticeship support. I refer to the measures in our manifesto, which I discussed with the stakeholders I met this morning.
There is growing demand for apprenticeships, and the Government wants to support our young people to achieve in the way that suits them best. However, it is not helpful for any member to come to the chamber and state that one avenue is potentially preferable to another. We are trying to create a situation with parity of esteem, in which everyone can fulfil their potential and best contribute to the economy and society.