Training Providers (Support)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 6 May 2020.

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Photo of Michelle Ballantyne Michelle Ballantyne Conservative

The training industry, which supports modern apprentices and learners across Scotland, is hugely frustrated by the lack of confirmation from the Scottish Government as to whether training providers can continue to work. By following public procurement guidance in relation to public money, training providers could receive a percentage of a contract’s value in advance. That would allow them to continue to support learners and develop improvements to the sustainability of modern apprenticeships.

Will the First Minister intervene to enable our trainers to make the best use of public money? If they furlough their staff now, those staff are not permitted to work and to provide that important support to our learners.

Photo of Nicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon Scottish National Party

I do not need to intervene, because I know that Jamie Hepburn is involved in work that is under way to try to resolve the issue and reach the best possible outcome. The most helpful thing that I can do is ask Jamie Hepburn to write directly to the member with more detail on that work and the steps that are being taken to resolve the issue that she has raised.