Smaller firms in Dumfries & Galloway regularly highlight the problems which skills shortages cause local business. But Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) survey work suggests only about 1 in 8 Scottish smaller firms take on apprentices.
During Scottish Apprenticeship Week (5 – 9 March 2018), the FSB is making the case for more smaller firms to train up their own talent. Firms may not know that there are more than 80 different types of Modern Apprenticeship available – and there’s a range of support available for forward thinking firms.
Brian Sherman from FSB Dumfries and Galloway said “We’re also making the case to the Scottish Government for an apprenticeship system which works for smaller businesses. In particular, we’re making the case for fairer funding for apprentices over the age of 25 – perhaps parents returning to work or people wanting to change career.
If we’re going to deliver a skills system that works for firms in Dumfries & Galloway and provide real opportunities in the area, both firms and government will have an important role to play.”
