UK NEWS

CASH SUPPORT TO KEEP APPRENTICES IN A JOB

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop

Sunday November 1,2009

By Scott Macnab

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THE Scottish Government is to offer financial support to safeguard the jobs of apprentices in the recession, it was announced yesterday.

Small and medium businesses in the construction, engineering and manufacturing industries are to benefit from the scheme over the next five months, Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said.

Employers will get £75 a week for eligible apprentices until March 31 2010, which could equal between 20 per cent and 57 per cent of their wages.

Ms Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government fully recognises the challenges that have been faced by Scottish businesses in recent months.

“I also know that many small firms have had to balance the need to keep their heads above water with the desire to continue to develop staff skills for the future.”

The Safeguard an Apprentice scheme will deliver “practical help” to support businesses and workers through the recession, the Cabinet Secretary added.

“I firmly believe that in order to ensure that our economy continues to be competitive in a global market over the next few years we need to invest now in people who can develop the skills that we will need in the future,” she said.

The initiative was last night welcomed by Andy Willox, Scottish policy convener of the Federation of Small Businesses.

He said: “During the last 18 months, many strong, successful, viable firms have had their backs up against the walls due to circumstances entirely out of their control.

“A short period of economic turbulence cannot be allowed to take the life opportunities away from individuals and the long-term success of our businesses and the communities they support.