Scottish Apprenticeship Week

[edit] Equipping people with skills for the industries of the future

As Scottish Apprenticeship Week gets underway, First Minister John Swinney has highlighted the power of apprenticeships to equip the next generation with skills for future jobs and industries – helping grow the economy and tackle child poverty.

The Scottish Government is investing around £198 million this year to support apprenticeships. This investment is supporting around 25,500 new Modern Apprenticeships in 2025-26 and more than 39,000 Modern Apprentices currently in training. The funding also supports 5,000 new Foundation Apprenticeships and more than 1,200 new Graduate Apprenticeships.

The First Minister said:

“Young people are our greatest asset and we are firmly focused on equipping them with skills for the industries of the future. Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate how apprenticeships are transforming lives across the country.

“Apprenticeships play an important role in securing positive futures for more of our school leavers. With the wide range of good jobs and careers available, most young people will be able to find something that appeals to them. The high-quality, rewarding jobs and careers that apprenticeships offer can support young people to reach their potential and offer a route out of poverty. This in turn helps to lay the groundwork to give the next generation a decent start in life and reduce child poverty, which is my government’s highest priority.

“Investing in jobs and training for the future will also help create a workforce that has the skills needed to boost the public sector and businesses alike, benefiting Scotland’s economy now and for the future. That includes nurturing the skills required for the transition to net zero and other emerging industries.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with industries and employers across the country to maximise the potential of apprentices, and ensure skills are being developed in the best way to help local and national economies to thrive.”

[edit] Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026

Scottish Apprenticeship Week celebrates the benefits apprenticeships bring to individuals, businesses and the economy. It runs from 2 to 6 March 2026 celebrates apprenticeships working for individuals, employers and the economy. The week shines a spotlight on the power of apprenticeships to create careers, build businesses, grow the workforce and get real returns for the economy. To find out more visit https://www.apprenticeships.scot/events/scottish-apprenticeship-week/

Scottish Apprenticeship Week is the time to demonstrate that apprenticeships are working for business, people and Scotland’s economy. Supporting the campaign through a range of activity and events will help to: highlight the value and benefits of Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships, encourage other employers to recruit through apprenticeships, inspire people to apply for an apprenticeship job

Get involved in lots of different ways, whether an apprentice, employer, learning provider, partner or school. Tell us what you're doing to support the campaign by registering your event or activity.

• Apprentices: Encourage others to choose an apprenticeship. Share why an apprenticeship has given you the skills to achieve and succeed. Showcase the skills you've learned on your apprenticeship. Get involved in activities and events to tell young people about the benefits of apprenticeships.
• Employers: Share why you invest in apprenticeships to meet your workforce needs. Show how apprenticeships provide you with a pipeline of talent. Showcase apprentices who are achieving and progressing in your business. Work with partners and schools in your communities to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships.
• Learning providers: Highlight the work you do to develop skilled apprentices. Showcase apprentices who are achieving and progressing. Profile your partnership work with employers to support them in meeting their skills needs.
• Schools: Share information about apprenticeships with pupils, parents and carers. Explain that apprenticeships give people skills employers want. Use tools and resources from Apprenticeships.scot. Organise events and activities on the range of apprenticeship opportunities available in school and post-school. Invite local apprentice employers and learning providers to speak to pupils, parents and carers about the benefits of apprenticeships.

[edit] Apprenticeship stats and facts

Apprenticeships are working for Scotland. They help the nation: create careers, build businesses , grow the workforce , get real returns for the economy. Here are some Scottish Apprenticeship stats and facts.

• Financial premium: Learners who complete their Modern Apprenticeship earn up to 52% more than people who do not complete. Those who complete an apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 or 7 earn net benefits of £65,000 to £84,000 more over their lifetime earnings, compared with people who do not complete their apprenticeship.
• Diverse workforce: 80.5% of apprentice starts from areas of social deprivation are learning at SCQF Level 6 and above. In the last five years, the share of people who declared to be from a minority ethnic group starting an apprenticeship has increased from 2.3% to 5.7%. In the last five years, the share of people who declared to be care experienced starting an apprenticeship rose from 1.5% to 2.6%.
• Investment: More than £100 million of Scottish Government funding to support up to 25,500 new Modern Apprenticeships in 2025/26. Nearly 40,000 apprentices currently in training, compared to around 26,600 in 2008.
• Return on Investment: For every £1 of public investment in apprenticeships, the exchequer gets £4 to £5 in return. This £450 million in tax revenue helps to fuel £1 billion of employer investment in skills.
• Economic growth and employer needs: 100% of Modern Apprenticeships are designed in partnership with employers. 76% of Modern Apprenticeship starts are in key growth sectors. 64% of Modern Apprentices are employed in STEM-related roles.
• High quality: Scotland has an 80% Modern Apprenticeship achievement rate. 90% of employers said apprenticeships significantly improved job performance. Three months after completion, nine out of 10 individuals are still working for the employer they started their apprenticeship with.
• Apprentice employers: Employers invest around £10 for every publicly funded £1 in apprenticeships. 92% of apprentice employers are SMEs.

[edit] Previous Scottish Apprenticeship Weeks

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025 took place from 3-7 March 2025 – and the theme was Made for Business. The online toolkit is available on apprenticeships.

Developed as an initiative by Skills Development Scotland, the 2024 week took place 4-8 March, underpinned by the theme of 'Skills Generation'.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023 ran from 6 to 10 March to shine a light on the vital role apprenticeships play in supporting people, employers and the economy. The theme was "unlocking potential" highlighting the potential apprenticeships offer to individuals, businesses and the economy.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2022 ran from 7th – 11th March the theme was Apprenticeships Work and highlighted how important apprenticeships are in providing the skills employers need now and in the future.

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