MATHER URGES ARGYLL AND BUTE BUSINESSES TO TAKE ON AN APPRENTICE

Jim Mather Argyll & Bute MSP, welcomed his colleague Michael Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning’s, announcement of the latest strand of the ‘Invest in an Apprentice’ scheme. The Scottish Government have allocated £4 million this financial year to offer a grant of £1,000 for all employers who take on an apprentice, of any age, between 11 January and 26 March 2010. Businesses should contact Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s national skills agency, for more information 0808 100 8095.

ttp://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/scotaction.aspx

Jim Mather said: “ £1,000 grant to encourage and enable businesses in Argyll and Bute, together with the rest of Scotland, to take on a new apprentice will maintain the momentum required to help Scotland come through the recession with a vital trained workforce. By broadening the scheme to cover all sectors and apprentices of all ages the Scottish Government is keeping in tune with what is required to ensure we maintain a competitive edge in a global market.

I would therefore urge take-up of this opportunity to build on the skills base in Argyll and Bute by phoning or visiting the Skills Development Scotland website.”