SCOTLAND'S SNP DELIVERS WHILST LONDON LABOUR FAILS ON APPRENTICES.

SCOTLAND'S SNP DELIVERS WHILST LONDON LABOUR FAILS ON APPRENTICES.

News that fifty new modern apprenticeships are to be created by the SNP Government for Scotland's creative industries is a stark contrast to Labour’s failure south of the border to meet their apprenticeship targets says SNP MSP Christina McKelvie - a member of the Scottish Parliament's Education Committee.

This afternoon the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, announced that fifty new modern apprenticeships are to be created in Scotland's creative industries to help address skills needs in the performing arts, music, cultural heritage, literature and visual arts.

Coming on the back of 1000 additional apprentices in Glasgow – some of whom will work on delivering Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games in 2014 – this contrasts with news this week that the London Labour government has failed to deliver.

On Monday it was reported that the Labour government would miss its target of 130,000 apprenticeships being completed every year by 2010-11; and on Tuesday it was also reported that only 30 of 3,000 workers at the London Olympics site are apprentices despite vows it would boost youth training.

Commenting Ms McKelvie said:

“This is excellent news for Scotland’s creative industries and shows how the SNP Government is adding even more value to apprenticeships after its announcement for 1000 apprentices for Glasgow and £5.8 million for Skillset's Screen and Media Academies.

"Creative industries are a key economic sector for Scotland and I look forward to these apprenticeships adding value to our economic potential for future growth.

“What a contrast with Labour’s record south of the border where they are failing to meet targets.

“It puts into context what we would be facing if we did not have an SNP Government and the previous Labour-led Executive had continued.

“It is yet another chapter in the take of two governments and shows that voting SNP works.”