Registers of Scotland is backing The Scottish Government’s drive to help young people into employment by creating a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) scheme. Fourteen MAs are getting the opportunity of paid employment combined with on the job training and the chance to gain a nationally recognised qualification.
The MAs will work towards achieving SVQ level 3 in either Business Administration or Customer Services. Within RoS, the group will be working in different departments to gain an insight into the organisation and build up valuable employment skills.
Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, Sheenagh Adams is delighted to welcome the new starts as part of the MA scheme. She said:- “Every organisation needs fresh talent and skills to help it meet its business objectives now and in the future and, indeed, to keep itself vibrant and in touch. To this end, we are extremely happy to be creating these new Modern Apprenticeship opportunities to the mutual benefit of RoS and the 16-19 year olds taking up a place here.”
The recent economic conditions have been challenging for all sectors of the work force but securing employment has proved particularly difficult for school leavers during the downturn. That is certainly an experience 18-year old Modern Apprentice Erin Quinn from Duddingston can identify with: “A lot of people my age are really struggling to find any kind of work. Most people who are lucky enough to get a job at all are getting stop-gap work just to do something.
“I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity on the Modern Apprenticeship scheme at Registers of Scotland. I’m really looking forward to being able to work and get a qualification.”
19-year old Steven Murray from Penicuik is also among those who’ve secured a place on the RoS MA scheme. He said: “Before getting this opportunity I was just doing bits and pieces of work – really whatever I could get. I had done a bit of labouring and things but I wanted more for myself. Compared to most jobs out there, this is just such a good opportunity. To get the chance to train from the ground up is fantastic.”
Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance said: “The Modern Apprenticeships scheme is giving 25,000 young people each year the opportunity for an exceptional start on the career ladder. I am delighted that Erin, Steven and RoS have had such a positive experience and it is a message that I hear regularly from apprentices and employers across the country.
“It is a challenging time but the success of Modern Apprenticeships clearly demonstrates that employers benefit greatly from the additional support they receive to take on young people across a range of sectors.”
Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland, the national skills body that supports the delivery of MAs, said: “A Modern Apprenticeship offers a fantastic route into a career providing the right combination of practical and theoretical experience needed to reach the top of your profession.
“The programme not only equips employees with the skills and training they need for their role, it helps employers retain valued staff as MAs helping businesses build more capable, efficient and loyal workforces.”
