Adult apprenticeship drive could help fill skills gaps, says FSB

FSB says a smaller share of Scottish businesses take on apprentices compared to England, and that fairer funding could help close the gap.

In a new policy paper published to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week this week, the small business campaign group highlights official figures showing that 15 per cent of employers in Scotland offer apprenticeships, compared to 19 per cent in England. FSB surveys suggest that this gap is wider amongst the small business community - with only 12 per cent of Scottish FSB members taking on apprentices, compared to 24 per cent in England.

Andy Willox, FSB’s Scottish policy convenor, said: “Scotland has bold ambitions to increase apprenticeship numbers across traditional sectors, like construction and engineering, and in increasingly important industries like data analytics and telecommunications.

“But if we’re going to reach our 2020 target of providing 30,000 Scottish apprenticeships every year – we might need to change our approach. A business who wants to train someone up - say a parent returning to work, or someone looking to change career - shouldn’t be penalised because of the candidate’s age.”

Skills Development Scotland provide a financial contribution towards the cost of apprenticeship training – with firms often making up any shortfall. As much as £5,500 less is provided to train an apprentice that’s over 25, compared to someone aged between 16 and 19.

At present, only a quarter of Scottish apprentices are over 25. People aged 25 and over accounted for 46% of apprenticeship starts in England in 2016/17.

In their policy paper, FSB suggests funding for this policy could come from proceeds from the apprenticeship levy.

Mr Willox said: “It’s very likely that a large number of Scots will need to retrain over the course of their working life. The apprenticeship system has to make it easier for employers to give older workers a chance.

“We must get away from this idea that apprentices are only for young people - and make the case that they’re for anyone looking to pick up a vocation.”

The Scottish Government has a 2020 target for 30,000 apprenticeships to be started annually. In financial year 2016/17, 26,262 apprenticeships were delivered.