Last week, I took part in a debate celebrating Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Within my speech, I spoke of my visits to MD Electrical Contractors and Arnold Clark’s Rutherglen branch during this year’s and last year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week. I also highlighted the work of Clyde Gateway in supporting local apprentices.

The SNP Scottish Government has increased the number of new apprenticeships from 10,500 in 2008 to 28,000 in 2018-19 – and is on track to achieve 30,000 new apprenticeship starts by 2020.

The Scottish Government’s action to increase the number of modern apprentices since 2007 has been transformational. Not only are we seeing more people starting modern apprenticeships than last year, but we’re also seeing more women starting, more disabled people starting, and more people from BAME backgrounds starting.