SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCOTLAND CUT APPRENTICE FUNDING

The impact of these cuts is being felt across the country with young people being turned away from colleges and private training providers, businesses unable to secure the funding required for the training and development of the individual concerned.

In short, there are “no places and no additional apprentices” for a sector that is driving to embrace changing technologies and the subsequent banning of ICE powered vehicles. We as a country have an urgent need to be training the technicians of the future now!

The skill gap in our sector will simply grow and grow and everyone who has tried to recruit technicians will fully understand the ultimate outcome of this growing critical situation.

SMTA is looking for support across the spectrum of the sector as we must take this to the Scottish Government to ensure that funds are released to provide the training and support the next generation of staff looking to come into our industry.

If you have been impacted by staff shortages or indeed the current situation with regards trainees, we would appreciate a quick email that Sandy Burgess, SMTA CEO can seek up some supporting responses for future use.

Please send an email headed up ‘Employment Issues’ to sandy.burgess@smta.co.uk and we will get back to you over the next few weeks.

SMTA NEEDS YOUR INPUT AS WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS TO SUPPORT ALL OUR FUTURES!