Set aside class time for apprenticeship information, Government told

Time should be set aside in class for pupils to learn about apprenticeships and potentially boost minority ethnic uptake, the Scottish Government has been told.

A commission set up by skills body Skills Development Scotland (SDS) made 20 recommendations to the Scottish Government and employers in a report published on Wednesday to coincide with Apprenticeship Week.

According to the report, 4.5% of those starting apprenticeships in 2023-24 reported being from an ethnic minority, while the proportion in the population sits at 7.1% according to the 2022 census data.

Recommendations to employers included paying the Living Wage and implementing anti-racism frameworks, while recommendations to Government focused on schools, including ensuring apprenticeships are given “equal weighting” in education as positive destinations.

While Scottish Government agencies like SDS should create “pre-apprenticeship programme” for refugees and asylum seekers focused on “meta skills and Scottish culture”.

In schools, dedicated time should be set aside in the curriculum for information sessions about apprenticeship, as well as support from schools with the application process.

Responding to the report, commission chair and the head of early careers and apprenticeships at Coca-Cola Europacific Partnerships Sharon Blyfield, said: “This commission came together to accelerate change to address racial imbalance in apprenticeships and provide leadership and guidance to employers, educators and policy makers.

“Addressing the under-representation of people from minority ethnic backgrounds in apprenticeships is crucial for promoting equality and inclusion and providing those individuals with access to career opportunities and skills development.

“It is not only a matter of social justice and equality though, it also makes economic and practical sense as it enriches the workforce, helps close skills gaps, and fosters more inclusive and creative businesses.”

She added: “We know from SDS research that parents and carers are the biggest influencers on young people when it comes to career decisions, and it’s from schools that much of that information flows.

“Schools must start to recognise and give equal weighting and time to apprenticeship opportunities as they do to university and college pathways.

“These recommendations add up to an action plan. This is a real chance to further improve Scotland’s apprenticeship system to better serve its communities and I sincerely hope it’s received as such.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government recognises the importance of improving ethnic minority representation in apprenticeships, which is why ministers welcome the report and the detailed recommendations made by the Race Commission.

“We will now consider how these recommendations can be embedded in the skills system as we take forward our reform work.”