Gordon Banks supports Labour’s new Apprenticeship Bill at Holyrood.

4 April 2008

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks has thrown his support behind the Apprenticeship Bill which was launched recently by Labour MSP’s at the Scottish Parliament.

The Bill proposes to establish a right to undertake an apprenticeship for those suitably qualified aged between 16 and 18. To deliver this entitlement the amount of apprenticeship places will have to increase significantly
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Mr Banks said –

“The SNP have been particularly weak on workplace skills since the election last year. Apprenticeships, which have increased from around 8000 to 28000 over the last ten years under a Labour Government, hardly feature in the Scottish Government’s skills strategy.”

“This new Bill, which is open to public consultation over the next three months will seek to increase the promotion of apprenticeships in schools through advice and guidance to pupils and provide additional support for employers in training apprentices.”

“The building of the skills base of the Scottish workforce has never been more vital to our economic success. It needs to be recognised that there will be less low skilled jobs in the future and therefore less opportunity for unskilled young people to enter the job market straight from school.”

"Under the SNP, Scotland is in danger of falling behind. With 1 million workers leaving employment over the next decade there is no time to waste. That's why Labour will be introducing a skills bill as a matter of urgency."

“I have been campaigning at Westminster for the Government there to promote the advantages of Apprenticeships and it is sad that the Scottish Executive have not recognised their importance. I know the value of apprentices having run my own business for over 20 years and during that time I have been in contact with many skilled and dedicated apprentices. An apprenticeship gives you not just technical skills but core skills that will give you an edge in an increasingly competitive labour market.”