Scottish Cities Alliance

When it comes to building a workforce that’s fit for the future and all the challenges that lie ahead, the role of apprentices is vitally important – and Scotland’s cities are leading the way in training the next generation of talented workers.

And as we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, it’s time to pay tribute to the great work that’s been done around the country.

In Inverness, the University of the Highlands and Islands is playing an important role in training modern apprentices and retaining the brightest and best talent in the city and surrounding area.

A move by the university to more work-based learning, industry partnerships and curriculum innovations has helped the university to meet the skills and knowledge demands of a growing regional economy.

University Principal Professor Chris O’Neil said that his education centre engages with more than 500 employers and industry bodies, resulting in a significant rise in the number of graduate apprentices and modern apprentices trained at its campuses to more than 1,000.

Partnerships have also resulted in new scholarships and funds to attract students and create talented employees of the future.

Professor O’Neil said:

We are very much demand-led and flexible in the way that we are working with partners, including the [local] council, to ensure that our course offerings are delivered in a way that the apprentice, the student or the employer needs.

Meanwhile, in Aberdeen, the new Energy Transition Skills Hub is set to bring the green jobs of the future to Scotland, with apprentices at the heart of the initiative, which is being driven by ETZ, the economic development agency.

Sir Ian Wood, ETZ’s chairman, said:

This initiative… will support the transition to low carbon energy by providing the future workforce with the skills to drive the energy transition, while ensuring the north-east remains globally competitive in the low-carbon energy sector.

Training and upskilling are also to the fore in Glasgow, where people are being encouraged to take part in a new initiative to make it easier to use numbers and maths.

The Multiply123 numeracy programme is free to local residents and features hundreds of funded courses and activities, which will help boost people’s chances of carving out a new and exciting career.

Fife College is developing a new Energy Transition Skills Hub, which aims to empower students with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the burgeoning renewable energy sector.

The Skills Hub, will take advantage of the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus (AGIC) in Dunfermline, which aims to serve a range of small- to medium-sized enterprises in the marine, nuclear and energy-transition sectors, offering access to the latest industrial techniques and technology, industrial and office space, innovation advice and skills development. The focus will be on providing high quality training and employment opportunities for future generations.

And on a national level, Scotland is investing heavily in giving its people the right skills to equip them for the changing world of work in the future. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is a key initiative that seeks to equip more people with the capabilities and skills they need. SDS aims to build a new generation of talent through apprenticeships and digital training programmes, alongside collaborations with educational institutions.

Claire Gillespie, digital technologies sector skills manager for Scotland at SDS, said:

Lots of industries are going through a massive transition. They are having to reskill existing staff and think about how to retain those existing colleagues with all that fantastic knowledge as they continue to evolve.

Investing in apprenticeships and skill development isn’t just about meeting the challenges of today; it’s a commitment to shaping a future where innovation, sustainability, and success go hand in hand. As Scotland leads the way in nurturing talent, let’s celebrate the strides made during National Apprenticeship Week, knowing that each apprentice trained is a beacon for a brighter, more dynamic tomorrow.