The Scottish Government is being called on to create a new manufacturing strategy for the country.

With new figures revealing unemployment has risen for a third time in the row, union Unite is calling on Ministers to make a further investment in apprenticeships to support new skills.

New research from the UK Commission for Enterprise and Skills found 14% of Scottish employers are facing skills gaps. In addition, the Institution of Engineering and Technology states Scotland will need an extra 147,300 engineers by 2022.

Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said the Govt should use its powers to create strategies for the economy's biggest sectors, including energy, tourism, housing, manufacturing, and especially oil and gas.

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"We have repeatedly called for a summit between the Scottish and Westminster governments to look at the future of our offshore sector," he said.

"We need to bring everyone to the table and come up with plans for joint investment that will support the jobs of our members and create a sustainable future for the oil and gas industry in Scotland."

On apprenticeships, Mr Rafferty continued: "The Apprenticeship Levy on employers will raise hundreds of millions of pounds in Scotland. The Scottish Government has control over that funding and should start thinking about new ways to fill the skills gap.

"New Apprenticeship Academies could bring together employers, councils, universities and colleges, and train the next generation of workers for the future economy. The Institution of Engineering and Technology believes that Scotland will need an additional 147,300 engineers from 2012 – 2022. We need to meet that demand for skilled workers if our economy is to succeed and support new employment in the future."

(LM/CD)