Stevenson Highlights Support For School Leavers As End Of Term Approaches

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the Scottish Government’s latest efforts to provide opportunities for young people leaving school and college this summer to develop their skills. The Scottish Government has announced £6.5 million to put in place 2000 Modern Apprenticeships which come with a £1,000 incentive for employers, 800 new vocational training places, 1,000 structured volunteer placements, a £400,000 initiative to provide young people with entrepreneurial training and a Graduate Placement Programme which aims to find business placements for 720 graduates over the next three years.

These measures come on top of an extra 4,100 full-time equivalent college places that have been put in place for next year and a further 5,000 additional Modern Apprenticeships.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“As many pupils and students in Banff & Buchan come to the end of their studies, the Scottish Government’s announcement of further support for young people could not be more timely. In these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever that young people are given the support they need to start their careers or undertake further training.

“The SNP Government has reversed the previous administration’s woeful record on college places and apprenticeships and provided vital options to young people.

“Young people and their parents in Banff & Buchan will no doubt welcome this latest announcement and I welcome the positive impact it will have for thousands of people across Scotland”.