1,000 Legacy Apprentices Recruited

3 July 2014, 06:15 | Updated: 3 July 2014, 06:17

One thousand young people have been helped into an apprenticeship as part of a special scheme set up to create a lasting legacy from this summer's Commonwealth Games.

With the sporting tournament getting under way in Glasgow later this month, the Commonwealth Games Employer Recruitment Incentive provides £1,500 for apprenticeships linked to a sporting or cultural event.

The scheme, which is funded by Skills Development Scotland, aims to have at least 1,500 apprentices in place by the end of March next year.

Training Secretary Angela Constance met a number of apprentices working for the sports body Tennis Scotland as it was confirmed that a total of 1,000 apprentices have been recruited under the initiative.

Ms Constance, the Secretary for Training, Youth and Women's Employment, said: "We have always been clear that the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy goes beyond sport and beyond Glasgow, and Scotland should grasp the economic opportunities stemming from the Games with both hands.

"Figures published last month showed that Scottish companies were set to benefit from hundreds of millions of pounds from Games' contracts and as the figures today show, many young people are also achieving apprenticeships across a range of frameworks.

"The opportunities the Games have afforded these young people will help them develop their skills and set them up for successful future careers.

"Alongside the Youth Employment Scotland Fund, Opportunities for All and the actions stemming from the report on Developing Scotland's Young Workforce, the Scottish Government is committed to supporting more young people towards employment.''

Katie Hutton, depute director of national training programmes at Skills Development Scotland said the scheme was a "great way of ensuring employers across Scotland benefit from the Commonwealth Games''.

She stated: "It is great to see some of our trainees flourishing in their roles as tennis coaches and knowing that many other modern apprentices are also being supported by this funding.

"The skills they learn will stay with them long after the Games have finished and that is a legacy that we are incredibly proud of.''