Semta smashes skills records28 May 2014

A record number of budding engineers have embarked on Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland – it has been revealed.

Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, has helped more than 1,500 people take the step into an apprenticeship in the last year. The figure beats last year's record of 1,394.

Stewart McKinlay, Semta's sector development specialist for Scotland, revealed the figures at The Apprenticeship conference in Edinburgh 'Upskilling The Nation & Building Our Economy'.

McKinlay said: "Our message to the youth of Scotland that engineering offers a rewarding career is getting through – and manufacturers understand the added value that apprentices bring them. Scotland's young are keen to earn and learn."

Other major milestones for Semta during the past 12 months have been, New College, Lanarkshire – one of Semta's approved training providers – being named as 'Best in UK' at WorldSkills UK in Birmingham and the launch of Equate to boost the numbers of women entering engineering.

Women in Engineering is a three-year partnership project led by Equate and supported by Semta. It aims to address workplace inequality for women in the science, engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors by helping them get in, stay in, move up, and get to the top.

Women are supported through a career enhancement programme, individual career coaching and leadership training. The project also campaigns to increase awareness of the business benefits of a diverse workforce.

Ian Vallely

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