Youth employment initiative offers career boost for young adults across Scotland

22 traineeships supported in 2013-14

Young adults across Scotland are set to receive a career boost under a new Youth Employment Initiative programme.

22 traineeships have been supported through Creative Scotland’s Traineeship scheme, part of the Youth Employment Initiative programme. Over 58 applications were received from employers and the first of these posts are now being advertised.

The purpose of the scheme is to give young people interested in developing a career in arts and culture, the opportunity to gain skills and experience that potential employers will value, remove the barrier of lack of paid work experience, and help boost the start of their career in the sector.

Joan Parr, portfolio manager for Education, Learning and Young People at Creative Scotland, said: “Through the Traineeship scheme we are engaging with arts organisations in Scotland that can offer trainees a tailored experience, enabling them to develop their skills and experience of working in the arts, screen and creative industries.

“We had a fantastic response to the call for applications and hope that the final 22 organisations gain as much from the scheme as the trainees.”

Read more on www.allmediascotland.com

Leaving school this summer?

It is a scary thought leaving school without a plan, so open up your options and become more knowledgeable about what is right for you.

Shannen from the Apprenticeships in Scotland team talks about her plan after school “I always thought further education was the route for me, I didn’t know I could go straight into work from school and get a qualification at the same time!” 

Apprenticeships are an excellent way of gaining qualifications and workplace experience. As an employee, you can earn as you learn and you gain practical skills from the workplace. 

A Modern Apprenticeship is a structured program of training and experiences that should result in nationally recognised qualifications or SVQ's (Scottish Vocational Qualifications).

To get started, why not speak to your school careers adviser. My World of Work has some great advice on taking the first steps after school, click here to find out more.

Ready to work on your CV? Click here to find out tips on where to start. 

To find out more about higher education please visit UCAS

New National Society of Apprentices Scotland Launch!

The Apprentice Conversation Scotland 

More than just a blether

On Sunday 23 March 2014, the brand new National Society of Apprentices Scotland will be launched at NUS Scotland Conference in Dundee. The National Society of Apprentices Scotland exists to represent apprentices in Scotland.

Apprentices from across Scotland are invited for the launch of the National Society of Apprentices Scotland.

The event will provide an opportunity for apprentices in Scotland to meet other apprentices, talk about their experiences of being an apprentice and to shape the work of the National Society of Apprentices in Scotland.

The interim leadership of the National Society of Apprentices in Scotland will also be chosen at the launch and apprentices in Scotland have the chance to volunteer to be part of the team that shapes the organisation.

Find out more about what to expect on the day here.

So if you are an apprentice in Scotland then come along to the launch of the National Society of Apprentices Scotland.

Where will it take place?

The launch of the National Society of Apprentices will take place at the Apex City Quay Hotel, Dundee from 12-4 on Sunday 23 March 2014. Lunch will be provided for those attending.

How to register?

For more information, or to register to attend please contact Ben Kinross, Apprentices Engagement Officer on ben.kinross@nus.org.uk

For our email disclaimer, please visit http://www.nus.org.uk/nus-email-disclaimer

Education to Employment Conference 2013 - LAST CHANCE

Education to Employment Conference 2013

November 26th, 09:00 - 15:45

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre

Last chance to book your place at Skills Development Scotland's Education to Employment conference!

"Scotland needs and has the potential to secure a highly educated, skilled and well motivated young workforce able to compete with any in Europe and ensure Scottish business and industry grows in stature at home and abroad."

Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, Interim Report

Objectives
The recent publication of the Wood Commission’s Interim Report sets the backdrop for this event. The agenda for the day will provide opportunities for attendees to:

• Explore the global challenges being faced by those leading and managing the transition from education to employment
• Engage in constructive discussion around what currently works in Scotland and why it works - from the perspective of education providers, employers and young people
• Gain a deeper understanding of the interim findings of the Wood Commission

Audience
The conference has been specifically designed for those concerned with the policy and practices surrounding education to employment for young people including:

• Those involved in the provision of education for young people
• Those involved in the employment of young people
• Third sector organisations working with young people at the transition point between formal education and the workforce

Programme
The conference has been structured around a number of short presentations and expert panel inputs designed to develop a better understanding of the challenges and stimulate lively group discussions.

The day will have three component parts:

• Part 1: The global challenges
• Part 2: Emerging Scottish solutions
• Part 3: Looking Ahead - The Wood Commission Interim Report

To attend this fantastic conference and have your say, please click here.

Education to Employment 2013

Education to Employment Conference 2013

November 26th, 09:00 - 15:45

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre

"Scotland needs and has the potential to secure a highly educated, skilled and well motivated young workforce able to compete with any in Europe and ensure Scottish business and industry grows in stature at home and abroad."

Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, Interim Report

Objectives
The recent publication of the Wood Commission’s Interim Report sets the backdrop for this event. The agenda for the day will provide opportunities for attendees to:

• Explore the global challenges being faced by those leading and managing the transition from education to employment
• Engage in constructive discussion around what currently works in Scotland and why it works - from the perspective of education providers, employers and young people
• Gain a deeper understanding of the interim findings of the Wood Commission

Audience
The conference has been specifically designed for those concerned with the policy and practices surrounding education to employment for young people including:

• Those involved in the provision of education for young people
• Those involved in the employment of young people
• Third sector organisations working with young people at the transition point between formal education and the workforce

Programme
The conference has been structured around a number of short presentations and expert panel inputs designed to develop a better understanding of the challenges and stimulate lively group discussions.

The day will have three component parts:

• Part 1: The global challenges
• Part 2: Emerging Scottish solutions
• Part 3: Looking Ahead - The Wood Commission Interim Report

To attend this fantastic conference and have your say, please click here.

Make Young People Your Business Week (26th-30th August)

Today is the last day of Make Young People Your Business Week; here at Apprenticeships in Scotland we make this our top priority all year round.

Give young people a chance and make room in your business for an apprentice. Contact our team of Youth Opportunities Advisers to discuss ways in which we can help you. For more information on how to make room for young people in your business, visit www.ourskillsforce.co.uk for the next steps.

Youth employment minister Angela Constance said: "Make Young People Your Business Week is all about selling the benefits of taking on an enthusiastic young person to our employers, and what better way to get it all started than the announcement of 70 fantastic opportunities in Glasgow.

"In order to support more young people into jobs we need more employers to come on board with the idea that the younger generation can aid their economic growth. While our youth employment figures are moving in the right direction, we need more businesses to step up and give our talented young people the chance to shine."

Call the Apprenticeships in Scotland team today and make a difference in our economy.

Tel: 01334 844 900
E-mail: admin@apprenticeshipsinscotland.com

School's Out For Summer!

Advice for young people leaving school, Further or Higher Education is available via Skills Development Scotland's skills and training web service My World of Work.

It includes top CV advice, a range of other tips and even information on the etiquette of shaking hands.

There is also help for parents who want know the best next step for their child.

With many young people in Scotland recently graduating and thousands of pupils finishing their final year at secondary school, My World of Work has advice tailored for everyone's needs.

The Graduate Portal has an array of articles, videos and audio clips to help young people make a positive step on their career journey. While school pupils, whether leaving education or staying for another year, will benefit from the refreshed Exam Results Helpline portal ahead of receiving their results on 6 August. 

For more information and and to read more click here

Employer wage incentive available from your local Job Centre

Employers who take on young people may be eligible for wage incentives of up to £2,275 each.

Wage incentives are available for employers who recruit an 18-24 year old who has been receiving benefits for at least six months through Jobcentre Plus.

Wage incentives are also available through Work Programme and Work Choice providers.
> Wage incentives available through the Work Programme
> Wage incentives available through Work Choice

How does the wage incentive scheme work?

The wage incentive is available if you employ someone for 16 hours or more each week in a job lasting more than 26 weeks. There are two rates:

• for part-time work between 16 and 29 hours a week - £1,137.50
• for full-time work of 30 hours or more a week - £2,275

This will be paid 26 weeks after the employee starts work. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees can claim a part payment eight weeks after the employee starts work.

Who can claim a wage incentive?

Wage incentives are primarily available to private, voluntary and community sectors and social enterprise employers. Central government departments, their executive agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) will be excluded from claiming them, however the wider public sector such as NHS trusts, will not.

I'm interested in employing a young person using the wage incentive, what do I do next?

Contact Jobcentre Plus or one of your local Work Programme providers, they will give you further information, advice on the eligibility conditions and support to identify the right person.

Employing a young person using a wage incentive through the Work Programme
> Local Work Programme providers' contact details

Employing a young person using a wage incentive through Jobcentre Plus

• Phone: 0845 601 2001 (option 2)
• Text phone: 0845 601 2002 (for people with speech or hearing impairments)

Real life stories

FAQs

Factsheet

Terms and Conditions

Scheme Details

If you are an employer in the Glasgow area, contact Rhonda Rafique on 0141 636 8396 or rhonda.fafique@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Lloyds Banking Group Recruiting 150 Apprentices in Scotland

Lloyds Banking Group says it is creating 150 new apprenticeships in Scotland including 45 new training posts in Tayside and Fife.

The part-taxpayer-owned bank said the bulk of the new roles — including 30 in Dundee and a further 15 in Dunfermline — will be added in its telephone banking division.

The remainder of the new posts will be created in group operations and in Bank of Scotland and those opportunities will be spread across the country.

The move came as Scottish Apprenticeship Week began in earnest.

Robin Bulloch, deputy chairman of Lloyds Banking Group’s Scottish Executive Committee, said he was delighted the bank was able to offer a helping hand for some young Scots looking for work.

“Building people’s skills and aspirations can make a real impact in tackling youth employment by providing many young people with that crucial first step on the employment ladder.

“Lloyds Banking Group is Scotland’s largest financial services employer and this announcement demonstrates our continuing commitment to invest in Scotland.”

READMORE

App of the Day: Union Apprentice

Aspiring apprentices can now check out the latest vacancies from their iOS device.

Available for free on iPhone and iPad, the Union Apprentice app allows would-be apprentices to peruse the largest selection of vacancies available via a mobile app, whilst also offering advice and tips on how best to make their first steps in their chosen profession.

The app is designed to serve as a useful resource for both aspiring apprentices and those already undertaking apprenticeships, assisting users in finding out about a particular role, to applying for a job, minimum rates of pay and what should be covered in an apprenticeship contract.

The scope of guidance ranges from finding out about a particular role to applying for a job, minimum rates of pay and what should be covered in an apprenticeship contract.

Sue Ferns, Director of Communications and Research at Prospect – the app’s developer - said: "This latest App completes our aim of being able to provide guidance on apprenticeships across both Android and Apple platforms, something we see as an increasing relevant tool given the looming skills crisis facing the UK.

"Rising tuition fees have meant education via the university model is no longer an option for many. Apprenticeships can provide an excellent training opportunity combining both college-based learning with hands-on experience, and I hope our new App will provide a gateway to a range of careers."

The App enables you to search for apprenticeship vacancies from the largest collection in the UK available via a mobile application because it searches both the National Apprenticeship Service and Not Going to Uni - a website dedicated to helping school and college leavers make informed decisions about their future.

Users can search by sector or location, save their favourite results and access guidance and a checklist of things to consider. While much of the guidance is specifically related to England, it also links to information and signposts vacancies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

To view the App visit www.prospect.org.uk/apprenticeships.

Skills Development Scotland Launch 2013 Modern Apprenticeship Scheme

The SDS Launch of the 2013 Modern Apprenticeship Scheme took place at the Tennent’s Training Academy.

The lives of 25,000 young people in Scotland have been transformed in 2012/13 by taking up a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) opportunity.

The Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland have confirmed that the target to enhance the job prospects of 25,000 young people through training in a key sector has been met for a second year.

Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance marked the occasion by meeting a number of MAs working at the Tennent’s Training Academy in Glasgow.

She said: “The Scottish Government recognises the value of the Modern Apprenticeship programme in developing and improving the skills of our young people. An MA gives them a job and a qualification, as well as a real entry point to the working world. This is precisely why we set ourselves the challenging target to offer 25,000 MA opportunities for each year of the current Parliament and I am delighted that the target has again been reached. READMORE

US firm SAS to create 94 jobs in Scotland

A US-based business analytics and software services provider is to expand it's operations in Scotland, creative nearly 100 jobs over 4 years.

SAS said it would open a new advanced analytics laboratory and expand its existing public security research and development unit in East Kilbride.

The move will lead to 94 new jobs and safeguard a further 126 Scottish jobs.

The announcement came during a trade visit to the US by First Minister Alex Salmond.

It followed news earlier this week that US-based medical products company Daktari Diagnostics is to locate its manufacturing base to Inverness, creating up to 126 posts.

The first minister met senior SAS representatives in New York as part of a programme of business and trade meetings designed to boost investment and employment in Scotland...READ MORE

Firms in apprenticeships talks

Major businesses are to gather to discuss the employability of young people.

Firms including BP and Microsoft will meet Youth Employment Minister Angela Constance as the latest labour market statistics are published.

Other businesses taking part are drinks firm Diageo and car dealership Arnold Clark.

Ms Constance said: "Recent job figures have shown a movement in the right direction as we support more young people into employment, but there is no room for complacency.

"Opportunities for All, our unique offer of a guarantee of a place in training or education or training for all 16 to 19-year-olds is live and we are committed to 25,000 modern apprenticeship opportunities every year.

"It is vitally important that we remain engaged with Scotland's largest employers as we continue to help young people into jobs, and today's meeting will be an important opportunity to share information and discuss what's working well...READ MORE

13,600 apprenticeships pledged

More than 13,600 training places have been pledged by firms across the country to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

The number of apprenticeships have ranged to just one in smaller companies, to hundreds in larger organisations including British Airways and the Co-operative Group.

As preparations were made for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Ladbrokes announced that it will recruit at least 200 apprentices in South Yorkshire, London and Scotland...READ MORE

Ladbrokes to take on 200 new apprentices in new scheme

Ladbrokes plc has announced the launch of its first apprenticeship scheme following a successful pilot scheme in two regions of the UK.

50 apprentices started on the pilot scheme in two regions, the South Coast and the Midlands, in November. The scheme has been so successful that Ladbrokes has now announced it will extend its apprenticeship scheme to South Yorkshire, Scotland and London with a target of 200 apprentices by the end of 2013.

Apprentices are given training as part of Ladbrokes 'Get Set!' training programme with successful trainees receiving accredited training in customer service, literacy and numeracy as well as a dedicated course developed by Ladbrokes on Responsible Gambling. Ladbrokes is working with Lifetime Training, one of the UK's top training providers, who will assess and deliver individual coaching needs....READ MORE

Bussinesses, Schools and Government join forces to remove barriers to youth employment as Barclays launches LifeSkills

Barclays launches LifeSkills, an education programme and work experience matching service that aims to reach one million young people by 2015.

50,000 work experience opportunities to be offered in 2013 working with employers such as Barclays, Waitrose, Centrica and ISS, as well as Government backed careers platform, plotr.

LifeSkills Ambassadors Karren Brady, Jameela Jamil, Colin Jackson and Thea Green issue Let’s Go to Work call to inspire business, schools, young people and the Government to work together.

Barclays is today calling on business, schools and government to work together to remove the barriers young people face in moving from school to work with a launch of a major new programme LifeSkills. This curriculum linked education programme aims by 2015 to equip one million young people with the skills they need for work and connect them with work experience opportunities.

The programme will give teachers access to a range of free resources designed to develop the skills employers most seek in young people covering topics such as writing a CV, managing money, and building self-confidence. After completing the modules in class or online, teachers can then match students to local work experience.

During 2013 LifeSkills aim is to make 50,000 work experience opportunities available. Barclays will provide at least 6,000 opportunities and is encouraging businesses of all sizes across the UK to get involved. Waitrose, Centrica, ISS and McDonald’s will be working together with Barclays on LifeSkills to help unlock work experience opportunities for 14-16 year olds...READ MORE

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Ayr Duo to Pioneer Deaf Theatre Skills Apprenticeship

Two people from Ayr have been picked to start  pioneering deaf theatre skills apprenticeship.

EJ Raymond, 32, and 18-year-old Ciaran Stewart are two of just three people who have been appointed to the first programme in the UK.

EJ, who is a former Ayr College student, explained: "This is very exciting and such a big challenge for me.

"I'm looking forward to the experiences ahead and building on my studies so far."

And Ciaran, who is a former Belmont Academy and Ayr College student, added: "I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead of me.

"'I'm excited by this opportunity and hopefully this apprenticeship will help deaf actors to have a career in the arts."

The apprenticeship scheme, funded through Creative Scotland's Talent Hub Fund, will start in April and run for 16 months....READ MORE

Apprenticeships in Scotland Assist with Largest Youth Unemployment Fall Since 2006

The SNP has welcomed statistics showing youth unemployment has fallen by 28,000 over the last year – the largest annual fall since 2006.

The youth unemployment rate of 18.4% is now at its lowest since November to January 2011 and compares to the UK’s rate of 20.6%.

Scotland accounted for 13,000 of the UK’s 14,000 fall in headline unemployment over the quarter - with unemployment in Scotland now lower than the UK average.

Apprenticeships in Scotland are very pleased to be playing a part in the fall of youth unemployment! To read our January report, CLICK HERE

Historic Opportunities in Traditional Skills

Traditional Skills Apprenticeships

Historic Scotland are offering an exciting range of Apprenticeships within the heritage sector, working for Historic Scotland to protect, maintain and support Scotland’s historic environment.

Young people taking part in the Apprenticeships will study for vocational qualifications while gaining professional experience working for Historic Scotland. There are three apprenticeship frameworks available, Stonemasonary, Electrician and Joinery.

The apprenticeships are available at various locations across the country.

For full details regarding these opportunities, please visit the Apprenticeships in Scotland Website and the Historic Scotland Recruitment pages.

For an insight into being an apprentice stonemason, check out the story of 2nd year apprentice Carolann on the Young Scot Extra website or watch Young Scot Heritage Award Winner John Crawford share his apprenticeship.

Closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday 15th February