Apprentices to inspire Scottish High School pupils

4 March 2019, 15:18 | Updated: 4 March 2019, 15:22

Apprentices will visit high schools across Scotland to encourage pupils to consider an apprenticeship, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The First Minister has launched a new national network for every Scottish high school to be linked with current or former apprentices who can share their experiences.

Announcing the unpaid ambassador scheme at Forth Valley College as part of as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Ms Sturgeon said she wanted apprentices to inspire other young people to follow in their footsteps.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Creating this network of apprentices, who can share their experiences with others, will help inspire the next generation.

"We know that work-based learning delivers for individuals, employers, and the Scottish economy.

"Through the network, apprentices are going to have the chance to inspire young people to follow their example and become the apprentices of tomorrow.

"Their success stories are the best way to show pupils that work-based learning offers fantastic career opportunities."

Apprentices who join the network would not be paid for any work they did with schools or pupils. They would require approval from their employer if activities were to be carried out during working hours.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS), who are running the scheme, said that approximately 40 apprentices have signed up and that they hope to have at least one apprentice linked to every high school by 2020.

Katie Hutton from SDS added: "We know that the best people to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships are successful apprentices.

"Through the network, apprentices will have a unique opportunity to talk directly to school pupils who are making their career choices and encourage others to follow in their footsteps."