Overseas sources are crucial for recruitment – Scottish Apprenticeship Week
Published in the Herald
The UK government recently proposed dramatic changes to the UK’s immigration regime.
The suggested points-based system and salary threshold has put in question how employers in social care, agriculture, tourism and other industries will address increasingly critical labour shortages.
This is why we have urged the UK Government to ensure all workable options are in the mix including proposals from the Scottish Government and other partner agencies. The UK Government needs to continue the dialogue further with businesses to ensure immigration and skills policies work for business and the economy.
To be clear, business is committed to developing domestic talent. This ambition is confirmed in how we are investing in training, recruitment and retention. However, the labour market supply is tightening across the UK. For most, the high employment rate is welcome. But it puts pressure on access to skills and talent. Businesses need both domestic and international sources to secure talent.
The expansion of the seasonal workers scheme is clear recognition of the important economic contributions agriculture makes to Scotland. However, the proposed salary threshold does not go far enough to support specific sectors in Scotland – the UK Government needs to set out how they will support these companies to recruit and grow.
The growing demographic challenge that Scotland faces, with its working age population currently projected to stall by 2043, is an issue that requires discussion and action now.
One area Scotland has grown considerably in recent years, to help tackle the above demographic and skills challenges, is in apprenticeships for our young people.
Skills Development Scotland – which itself was recently commended as an inclusive employer – is celebrating work-based learning from March 2-6.
The system of apprenticeships here is different from that in England. Where the system down south is struggling with confusion which has led to a fall in employer uptake, the Scottish Government’s measured and proportionate ambitions for Scottish Apprenticeships is expanding foundation, modern and graduate apprenticeships. There are more than 29,000 new modern and graduate apprentices and a further 5,000 foundation apprenticeship opportunities are available this year.
Focus has been placed on apprenticeships that are driven by employer demand – due at least in part to the contribution of the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board, of which SCC is a member, which continues to provide the employer voice. There is also effort being made to recognise the human or “meta-skills” that apprentices are learning such as communication, teamwork and creativity to ensure they are able to adapt and thrive throughout their working lives.
Apprenticeships also serve to attract a diverse range of individuals that will help build a more productive, dynamic workplace environment and help meet current and future workforce challenges, particularly skills gaps.
With the advent of apprenticeships that are now available, including in financial services and digital applications, the appeal of work-based learning can only grow for both students and employers.
The will to deliver the skills needed by both Scottish employers and the domestic workforce lies with business.
But government must also play its part with a sensible skills and immigration policy framework that will unlock growth in our economy.
