The Scottish Government has confirmed over £100 million in funding for Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships in 2025-26. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth made the announcement during a visit to Glenrothes High School, marking Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Skills Development Scotland will now issue contracts to employers, training providers, and colleges for Modern Apprenticeship starts, and to learning providers for Foundation Apprenticeship starts.

Ms Gilruth emphasised the importance of apprenticeships: "Around 400,000 apprenticeship opportunities have been provided to young people across the country since 2008 and our latest funding commitment makes clear they will continue to be a key feature of Scotland's education and skills system going forward. Apprenticeships provide vital opportunities for young people to acquire key skills and a route into high quality careers, helping the economy and creating sustainable jobs."

She also highlighted the focus on addressing skills gaps identified by employers, encouraging businesses to consider apprenticeship opportunities. "Feedback from employers indicates that there are key skills gaps and we are aiming to focus investment on apprenticeships in sectors facing labour market shortages. I would encourage businesses to consider opportunities available to them, to help them adapt and sustain their operations," Ms Gilruth said.

-- Advertisement --

Frank Mitchell, Chair of Skills Development Scotland, added, "Created by employers, for employers, apprenticeships are crucial to unlocking economic opportunity in growth sectors. With demand from employers and young people remaining strong, SDS will continue working to maximise apprenticeship starts aligned to industry need within its available budget. Apprenticeships foster innovation, economic growth, and new opportunities whilst providing great social return, generating opportunities for many young people from Scotland's most deprived communities."

At Glenrothes High School, Ms Gilruth met pupils undertaking Foundation Apprenticeships. Demi Short, studying Childcare, said, "Overall, my experience of the Childcare Foundation Apprenticeship is extremely positive, as it has sparked my desire to work within the primary education course. The placement has sparked my love and passion within this career. I will always be thankful for my placement, and the experience."

Jack Mellis, studying Creative and Digital, spoke about the practical skills he gained: "The creative and digital course teaches you anything digital in the creative industry, including making videos for social media, designing posters for anything requested, creating sound and working rigging equipment for this purpose. You learn how to read a creative brief and how to respond, what software to use and so on. I am currently on my work placement in technical theatre, where I can use the skills I gathered during my course. I have no doubt that the skills I have learnt from my course and work placement will allow me to get a job in many different places, such as marketing teams for companies, radio or movie studios, or even my own video making company."

Avril McNeill, Headteacher of Glenrothes High School, encouraged students to consider Foundation Apprenticeships, highlighting the wide range of opportunities available and the practical experience they provide.