Scottish businesses have created more than 400,000 apprentice jobs since the formation of the national skills agency.
The milestone marks the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 3 to 7 March and recognises the benefits of apprenticeships to business, people and Scotland.
Modern Apprenticeship training is funded and administered by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Thanks to the investment of employers, last month (February) saw the 400,000th Modern Apprentice start in work since SDS was formed in 20081.
During this time the skills agency also worked with partners across industry and education to drive the development and introduction of Foundation and Graduate Apprenticeships.
Apprentices from different industries across Scotland are adding value to businesses, including the latest national apprentice of the year, GE Aerospace engineer Louise Collins.
Modern Apprenticeships are jobs for people over 16 so they can work, learn and learn.
Foundation Apprenticeships are for school pupils to provide work-based learning pathways and learning at a similar level to a Higher.
While Graduate Apprenticeships mean getting a job, getting paid and getting qualified up to Master’s degree level.
Around 37,000 people have benefited from Foundation and Graduate Apprenticeships since they were introduced in 20162.
Employers invest around £10 for every £1 of public money put into apprenticeships3 – amounting to around £800 million of co-investment annual – while 83 per cent of businesses report improved productivity thanks to apprentices4.
Meanwhile, around nine out of ten who complete a Modern Apprenticeship are still with the same employer they started with5.
Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey said: “It is vital that young people, who will make up our future workforce, have the opportunity through apprenticeships to build their confidence, gain industry experience and develop essential skills that employers require.
“These figures highlight the significant level of young people and businesses which have benefited from this investment over the years.
Apprentices from different industries across Scotland are adding value to businesses, including the latest national apprentice award winners.
“Going forward, apprenticeships will continue to be absolutely central to our education and skills system, sustaining vital opportunities, while also helping to grow the economy and support public services.”
Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell, said: “Created in collaboration with industry, Scottish Apprenticeships help employers build a skilled and diverse workforce.
“Designed by employers, apprenticeships foster innovation, economic growth, and new opportunities.
“Apprenticeships also provide great social return, by giving opportunities of enduring careers for many young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas.”
Aeronautics firm GE Caledonian have been employing apprentices for 40 years.
Apprentice Coordinator GE Caledonian, Aidan McIntyre said: “Apprenticeships support our long-term strategy by developing future leaders and specialists from within the organisation.”
Nine out of 10 Scottish apprentice employers are small to medium businesses5.
Perth-based fenestration company Sidey have seen the benefits apprenticeships bring.
Community benefits manager at Sidey, Donna Montgomery, said: “We haven’t looked back since introducing apprenticeships.
“Investing in apprenticeships has changed our mindset, and we see it as an opportunity to recruit younger people.
“It has had a huge impact on our demographic and brought a positive change in culture.”
March 3 to 7 marks Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the annual campaign to highlight the benefits apprenticeship bring to businesses, people and the economy.
1SDS published Modern Apprenticeship start statistics from 2008/09 until Quarter 3 2024/25
2SDS published Foundation Apprenticeship statistics since 2016 and Graduate Apprenticeship published statistics since 2017
3 SDS accounts, BEIS Apprenticeship Pay Survey 2018/19 – Scotland. Includes leverage on wages and recruitment and training costs. Note that not all leveraged employer spend is fully additional - some employers may still recruit apprentices even if there was no support from government.
4 SDS Apprentice Employer Survey 2020: Modern Apprenticeships.
5SDS Apprentice Voice research Jan – Dec 2024 of 12,500 former and current Modern Apprentices: response from former Modern Apprentices 3 months post completion.