Scottish Government Boosts Training

11th February 2011

Budget supports ambitions of a new generation
Boost for college places, modern apprenticeships and college bursaries

A 34.5 million pounds package to support thousands of additional employment, training and college places was announced today as part of next year's Scottish Budget.

Despite a 1.3 billion pounds cut imposed on Scotland by the UK Government, the Budget will deliver a total of 46,500 training opportunities, invest an extra £15 million in college bursaries and boost college places by a further 1,200.

The Scottish Government will protect frontline services and:

* Invest a further 11.5 million pounds to create 25,000 modern apprenticeship places - a record high for Scotland
* Provide 7,000 flexible training opportunities for SMEs - 2,000 more than originally planned in the draft Budget
* Protect the total number of core university places and invest 8 million pounds for an extra 1,200 college places
* Invest an additional 15 million pounds across 2010-11 and 2011-12 in funding for college bursaries
* Maintain the educational grants for pupils and college students most in need (Educational Maintenance Allowances (EMAs)) which were cut south of the border
* Guarantee a probation place for every newly-qualified teacher and provide enough teaching jobs for every post-probationer in 2011-12
* Maintain pupil teacher ratios in P1 to P3
* Create a new Early Years and Early Intervention Fund, with start-up funding of 5 million pounds.

Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said:"This budget ensures all young Scots will get access to the education and training they need to find lasting, sustainable employment. Economic conditions are tough. Our budget was slashed by 1.3 billion pounds. Yet, this Budget does not allow our young people to become another lost generation. It drives investment to create opportunities which unleash the potential and support the ambitions of Scotland's young people.

"A record high of 25,000 modern apprenticeships and an extra 7,000 flexible training opportunities brings total training places to 46,500 despite the financial pressures we face. We have also funded an extra 1,200 college places.

"On student support we have saved the EMAs which were cut down south, after listening to the compelling case made by the NUS, and will make an additional 15 million pounds available for college bursaries. This means every student from school, college or university can access education and training based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay.

"A greater proportion of school leavers than ever before are going onto further study, training or employment. Scotland's youth employment rate is higher than the UK as a whole and our youth unemployment rate is lower. We are continuing to provide the opportunities our young people need and deserve. All benefits will be realised in Scotland's economic growth.

"The agreement with COSLA on teacher employment is also a significant achievement. The 2,800 probationary teachers leaving education training this year will have the same number of job opportunities available to them. More jobs will also be created so we can make a significant contribution to tackling longer term teacher unemployment.

"We remain committed to giving every child the best start in life, raising standards in teaching and learning, providing strong and better learning opportunities for school leavers, protecting access to education on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay, and supporting skills development that benefits current and future workforces."

Background
The Scottish Government's innovative Engage for Education site allows users to read blogs from Ministers, post comments and get involved in workshops on issues relating to education http://www.engageforeducation.org/