As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Cunninghame South MSP Ruth Maguire met young recruits at GlaxoSmithKline in Irvine to chat with them about their experience and plans for their future.

Organised by Skills Development Scotland, the theme for this year - Skills Generation - recognised apprenticeships creating the new generation of Scotland’s skilled workforce.

GSK’s Engineering & Maintenance Lead, Andy Currie, and Ayrshire College's Head of Apprenticeships and Work Based Learning, Stuart Millar, were on hand to discuss how apprenticeships positively impact GSK, as an effective way to harness and grow local talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

Ms Maguire said: "Growing our workforce is crucial, which is why we must continue to increase opportunities for young people by providing them with quality work-based training such as I saw at GSK.

"We must ensure our young people in school are aware of all paths available to them and apprenticeships should be fervently promoted alongside other forms of further education and employment.

"They are more than just routes to employment - they open doors for opportunity, offering young people a unique balance between of further education and practical experience.

"Apprenticeships support generating growth for Scotland’s economy, with every £1 public investment in apprenticeships returning up to £4-5 to the Scottish exchequer and I would encourage all employers in Ayrshire to find out more about the opportunities available to them.”

Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell said: “Apprenticeships are giving back to Scotland by supporting employers deliver economic benefits as well as societal wellbeing benefits across every part of Scotland.

 “Strong employer endorsement and demand for apprenticeships shows the high value of work-based learning to enable businesses to generate the skills they need to compete now and in the future.

 “Across Scotland, around 40,000 people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are accessing high-quality jobs and transforming their lives through Scottish Apprenticeships.

 “Apprenticeships also contribute by paying taxes as well as their employers contributing £10 for every £1 spent by Government to help training.

 “It is very clear that apprenticeships play a vital role in meeting economic, environmental and health and wellbeing challenges and opportunities, helping Scotland to become a fairer, more equal society.”

Anyone interested in becoming or taking on an apprentice can read more at the following link: https://www.apprenticeships.scot/