Comment
By Alison McGregor
The economic shock of the pandemic is likely to be felt for years to come and we are already seeing an unparalleled impact on the economy, industry and the labour market – particularly young people.
As businesses work through the challenges, there will be a greater need to support employers to become more agile and creative so they can visualise the long term without just firefighting the flames of the immediate challenges posed by Covid.
For many organisations, recruitment and skills development may seem out of reach. For those businesses that employ apprentices however, a process of re-evaluation and reshaping has been quickly undertaken in an attempt to continue their investment in skills. And rightly so they are looking to government for support.
As chair of the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) – the voice of industry on apprenticeships in Scotland – I was delighted to hear the First Minister announce the apprenticeship employer grant as part of the young person’s guarantee.
Not only does this show a commitment to ensure everyone aged between 16 and 24 has the opportunity of work, education or training, but the grant itself – giving up to £5,000 for each apprentice – offers funding to employers who take on a modern or graduate apprentice of any age within their business. I am encouraged, not least because of the targeting of efforts towards young people who we know are disproportionately affected by this crisis, but also because we, as the voice of industry, have had the opportunity to directly shape the outcome and detail of the grant, ensuring it will act as an effective, practical incentive for businesses.
This is a clear sign that government is listening. The Scottish Government has worked closely with employers through SAAB on a range of issues in response to the pandemic. I’m delighted we have had the opportunity to bring our industry expertise to provide real employer insight, ultimately shaping key policies and initiatives.
We’re now seeing our efforts bear fruit, not only through the commitment to the apprenticeship employer grant, but also with other new offers such as pathway apprenticeships, the adopt an apprentice scheme and the flexible workforce development fund. This also includes the recent employer campaign backed by the board, which explicitly appeals to businesses to give people “a chance” through apprenticeships.
I am keen to develop our role further and continue to share our expertise to provide active stewardship of apprenticeships in Scotland. SAAB’s principles centre on aligning apprenticeships to industry and economic need as well as fair work and job opportunities. Our aim is to make apprenticeships future-skills orientated: that apprenticeships and any suite of offers that support these are “fit for the future,” delivering the skills industry needs.
As a group of employers from across all sizes and sectors in Scotland, we’ve campaigned since our inception in 2016 to be at the forefront of apprenticeships. It makes sense that industry, which creates the demand for skills, should have a part to play in how these are supplied.
The benefits of an industry-focused approach to skills have already been realised in the way apprenticeships are approved in Scotland through the employer-led Apprenticeship Approvals Group.
Apprenticeships are not the construct of government or education; they are the means to achieve a certificate of competence from an employer which says, “you have the skills to do a job”. So, it’s crucial we hear more from employers about what they need, and I would encourage them to step forward with their sectoral knowledge and expertise.
Government is listening to the voice of industry and employers are getting the help they need to give more people the chance of an apprenticeship. It’s time for us as employers to take stock, collaborate and engage with government and skills agencies.
We need to ensure employers are heard, that we future-proof our industries with the right people and skills and help shape the future of skills together.
Alison McGregor chairs the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board
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