Championing Apprenticeships

Changing Lives, Growing the Economy

Apprenticeships are a significant part of the SNP Scottish Government's work to address youth employment and develop Scotland's workforce.

When you think of an apprentice, it normally conjures up the image of an electrician, joiner or plumber, but the truth is that apprenticeships have changed enormously over the years and they’ve been given much greater prominence in our economy.

The SNP in government have expanded Modern Apprenticeships, delivering more than 400,000 opportunities since 2008 and helping young people work towards a recognised qualification while learning on the job and getting paid. This includes hundreds locally each year through providers such as Angus Training Group.

The SNP also introduced changes to MAs, including a supplement for rural training providers, the removal of public sector eligibility restrictions, increased opportunities for people aged over 25, and enhanced contribution rates providing young disabled people and those with experience of care with the highest level of funding up to and including the age of 29. In 2025/26, the Scottish Government delivered funding for 25,500 new Modern Apprentices, as well as 2,500 Foundation Apprentices.

Foundation Apprenticeships have also been expanded under the SNP. These are designed to help young people in S5 and S6 gain valuable, real work experience and access work-based learning as part of their senior phase experience. They can provide young people with a a head start on a career by providing industry-recognised qualifications and experience employers are looking for.

And in January, Holyrood passed Scottish Government legislation to simplify the funding system for post-16 education and skills has been backed by MSPs. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) will become responsible for funding national training programmes and apprenticeships, alongside colleges and universities.  

The aim is to simplify the system, to make it more coherent and transparent, so that it works better for employers and Scotland’s economy. The Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill will see the establishment of a new apprenticeship committee, enable Ministers to set funding priorities in a new national strategy and will ensure that the voices of workers, employers, businesses and students are at the heart of the funding process. 

The SNP understands the lifechanging role of apprenticeships and their importance to the Scottish economy, and can be relied upon to ensure they continue to be prioritised.