Apprenticeships in Health & Social Care To Double

1st July 2009

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE APPRENTICESHIPS WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, today announced that she would more than double the number of Modern Apprenticeships in Health and Social Care by opening them to all ages of applicants.

The decision to open this Modern Apprenticeship Framework to adults is part of ScotAction - the Scottish Government's skills support package to help support Scotland's economy out of recession and back to economic growth.

The Cabinet Secretary visited a Mental Health Housing Support Service run by The Richmond Fellowship Scotland in Edinburgh today and met with social care workers who will now, thanks to Government funding, be able to benefit upskilling through Modern Apprenticeship. An additional 1,250 adult apprenticeship opportunities will be available for the social services sector, including Level 4 Apprenticeships for developing managers in the sector.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop said: "This Government is committed to doing everything that we can to help people in this current economic climate and ScotAction is the Scottish Government's skills support package for providing real financial support to businesses and individuals through the recession.

"A skilled workforce is vital for Scotland's for recovery and apprentices are central to this. That is why the Scottish Government announced a huge increase in funding of £16 million for 7,800 new apprenticeships this year.

"At the Modern Apprenticeship Summit in May I was asked to review age restrictions. Now less than two months later, I can announce a huge boost in the level of support for adult Health and Social Care apprenticeships this year.

"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the standard of delivery of social services through a range of measures including the development of the workforce. The registration and regulation of the social service workforce will ensure that workers are properly trained and qualified for the work they undertake. Investment in the development of the workforce will raise standards of practice and delivery, improve public confidence, protect users of social services and deliver a confident, competent and valued workforce.

"Just last week I announced our 'Adopt An Apprentice' scheme which offers employers a financial helping hand to take on a redundant apprentice and I also announced that I will be doubling the number of Modern Apprentices in the Hospitality and Tourism sector.

"This action demonstrates that when the Scottish Government is asked to look at a specific area of policy, where we have the powers, we can deliver for the people of Scotland - and deliver quickly.

"The action we take now will ensure that Scotland's workforce has the right skills to survive the current recession and contribute to a confident, successful Scotland when recovery comes."

Austen Smyth, Chief Executive of The Richmond Fellowship Scotland said

"Our dedicated staff work with people who are at risk of being excluded from society - people who often have a variety of support needs. We are committed to developing the skills of our staff to ensure the highest level of support to service users and we welcome the Scottish Government's support for adult apprenticeships in Health and Social Care. "

Carole Wilkinson, Chief Executive, Scottish Social Services Council added:"As the sector skills council for the social service workforce in Scotland we welcome today's announcement. This is a growing workforce, which includes social work, social care, children's and older people's services, that provides care and support to thousands of people.

"It is crucial that they have the skills for these demanding jobs. Widening access to the Health and Social Care Modern Apprenticeship framework will be very well received and we are pleased that the Scottish Government has responded so positively to the views of this sector and the voice of employers.

"This is a vital source of funding for training, particularly for those small to medium size organisations and it will have a significant impact on the quality of care workers provide and improve outcomes for people who use services."