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Amey puts Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2014 on the road to success.

Road maintenance firm Amey has marked the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2014 by committing to take on at least 120 new apprentices over the next two years.

Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment Angela Constance has welcomed the move, having met some existing young members of staff at Amey’s Eurocentral headquarters.

She said:

“I am very pleased indeed to see that Amey are committed to helping Scotland’s enthusiastic young workforce maximise their potential by taking on such a large number of new Modern Apprentices (MAs) over the next few years.

“Companies like Amey are vital to Scotland’s infrastructure and economy and these new MAs will find themselves right at the heart of a number of projects that are key to Scotland’s future growth.

“Today marks the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2014. The First Minister announced yesterday that our annual target of at least 25,000 new MAs each year has been met and we are now looking towards having 30,000 new opportunities by 2020.

“I am confident that this week will see a number of employers exploring the value that MAs could bring to their company and that we will raise awareness among young people that an MA is a well-recognised qualification that will equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.”

Valerie Hughes-D'Aeth, Amey Group HR and Communications Director added:

"In order to grow our highly skilled workforce it is important that we continue to identify and bring new talent into the industry. Offering apprenticeships is a great way to do this, as it helps to build transferable skills which are essential for career progression. As a business we are committed to developing our employees and their skills, which helps in delivering a high quality service for our clients."

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2014, organised by Skills Development Scotland, sees more than 120 events celebrating apprenticeships taking place from Shetland to the Borders.

Skills Development Scotland Chief Executive, Damien Yeates, also said: “Scottish Apprenticeship Week highlights the commitment of businesses, such as Amey, that invest in the skills of their workforce.

“The week also shows the successes of apprentices who have chosen to develop their careers by learning while working, to gain nationally recognised qualifications.

“Modern Apprenticeships are good for business, good for individuals and good for the Scottish economy. It’s never been more important to invest in skills for the future through work-based learning.”

Notes To Editors

For further details about Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2014 visit:www.scottishapprenticeshipweek.com

For more information about what Modern Apprenticeships can do for business visit:www.ourskillsforce.co.uk

For more information on how to become a Modern Apprenticeship visit: www.myworldofwork.co.uk

For further information, interviews and images please contact David Moroney at SDS Communications on 0141 285 6004 david.moroney@sds.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

• Skills Development Scotland is highlighting the advantages of hiring a Modern Apprentice to employers by leading Scottish Apprenticeship Week during May 19-23, bringing together thought-leaders, skills specialists, business leaders, learners and trade unions. Further details click here
• More than 11,000 employers in Scotland are already taking advantage of the Modern Apprenticeship programme
• Employers have their training costs partly met by SDS and are able to have a training provider on hand to assist if required
• There are more than 80 different occupational frameworks available – from wind turbine technician to business administration
• All Modern Apprentices in Scotland must be employed to be eligible for a publicly-funded contribution to their training costs
• This year’s Modern Apprenticeship Awards will be launched during Scottish Apprenticeship Week. The Awards aim to showcase those who have demonstrated initiative, enterprise and outstanding commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Scottish economy
• Get involved on social media: #ScotMAWeek14