Microsoft To Employ 2000 New Scottish Apprentices

 

 

Microsoft has pledged to take on more than 2000 apprentices in Scotland over the next three years.

The computing giant said it will work with its 1500 partner companies in Scotland to recruit 2016 16 to 24-year-olds as IT apprentices by the year 2016.The announcement means the number of apprentices it takes on each year in Scotland will more or less double.

Microsoft UK managing director Michel Van der Bel made the announcement during a meeting with First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Van der Bel said: "The digital technologies industry employs over 100,000 people in Scotland and is expanding fast.

"At Microsoft we want to help ensure there are skilled people coming into the workplace to secure the future for the sector.

"That's why we are announcing our commitment to create 2016 apprenticeships in Scotland by 2016 by partnering with the Scottish Government and our training providers QA and YouTrain.

"These are real jobs for young people in a vibrant, growing and exciting industry, which will help bring economic and employment opportunities."

Mr Salmond welcomed the announcement, which he said was a huge endorsement of Scotland's young people.

He said: "This is a terrific announcement both for the thousands of individual young people who will be given a fantastic career opportunity and for Scotland's Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme.

"Over the next three years Microsoft and its partner companies will recruit…READMORE