A new apprenticeship scheme to train young people for a career in the rail industry has been launched by the QTS Group.

The Drumclog-based railway contracting firm is the first in Scotland to offer the Rail Modern Apprenticeship – a programme designed to bring more young people aged 16-19 into the railway sector. The scheme itself will be delivered by Semta, a UK-wide industry training body which holds the Sector Skills Council licence for the engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors.

QTS Group has been awarded a contract by Skills Development Scotland to deliver up to 36 Rail Modern Apprentices in 2014. The first apprentices are due to begin this autumn.

Announcing the scheme, QTS Group's Managing Director, Alan McLeish, said: "We're incredibly excited to be the first business in Scotland to offer this exciting Rail Modern Apprenticeship initiative.

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"QTS is eager to nurture more young talent and we see this programme as an excellent way of creating a highly skilled and loyal workforce. The youngsters will receive first rate mentoring and on-the-job skills development through QTS Training. The overall aim is to develop their confidence and give them the skills and experience they need for a successful career.

"While the scheme will get underway later this year, QTS is already demonstrating its commitment to young people – over the past we've taken on five under 18 pre-apprentices who will go on to specialise in plant mechanics, welding and drainage works.

"The Rail Modern Apprenticeship initiative will be a welcome new addition to our training portfolio."

Transport Minister Keith Brown added: "Scotland's railways are enjoying a phenomenal rate of growth right now with more than 85 million train journeys taken last year and Scottish Government investment of £5billion over the coming five years to ensure we have the infrastructure to cope.

"We are ensuring we have a railway fit for Scotland's future and schemes such as this new apprenticeship at QTS will see that we have the skilled workforce in place to look after it."

Stewart McKinlay, Sector Development Specialist at Semta, said: "Employers in the rail sector have asked for this framework and QTS have been in the vanguard of shaping this modern apprenticeship. We are therefore delighted that QTS will be the first to offer it in Scotland."

(JP/IT)