Scottish Apprenticeship Week launched

150 new apprentices will begin work at a Clyde shipyard the Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work has announced to mark the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Roseanna Cunningham made the announcement to launch the weeklong event, which will run form 29 February to 4 March.

Ferguson Marine Engineering, known for shipbuilding and engineering, will take on 150 new apprentices as part of the company’s growth strategy.

Ferguson Marine Managing Director, Liam Campbell, said: “Apprenticeships are extremely important to us and our business, forming the backbone of our future growth.”

Ms Cunningham said that companies employing apprentices would enable the Scottish economy to “thrive”.

She commented: “This announcement of 150 new apprentices at the Fergusons shipyard on the Clyde is great news not only for Ferguson Marine, and the young people that will benefit, but also for Scotland as a whole.”

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2016 is organised by Skills Development Scotland and is an opportunity to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships to employers and encourage them to take on young people.

The Secretary said: The announcement kicks off a week-long of events and engagements that will showcase the positive impact apprenticeships have on businesses and industry, and the value they bring to employers and to their job prospects.

“Modern Apprentices are key to delivering economic development and essential in providing our young people with opportunities to develop skills and gain employment.

“Since this Government came into office in 2007 more than 190,000 MA starts have been delivered and this Government is committed to supporting young people towards jobs and apprenticeships, with an aim to have 30,000 new opportunities each year by 2020.”

Louise Larkin, a current Ferguson Marine apprentice, said: “I am proud to be a female Engineering apprentice.

“It is refreshing to be treated the same as the guys and I would like to encourage more girls to go for a career in engineering, especially when it is such an exciting time for Ferguson Marine and the Inverclyde.”

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