5. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote modern apprenticeships to constituents in Motherwell and Wishaw. (S6O-02248)

Skills Development Scotland provides an all-age career service in every local authority to highlight the options that are available to people across Scotland, including modern apprenticeships. SDS undertakes further activity, together with employers, to highlight the importance of modern apprenticeships, particularly through Scottish apprenticeship week.

Developing the Young Workforce facilitates engagement between employers and schools to highlight vocational pathways and support young people to transition into work. I met young people on work experience at a recent DYW Lanarkshire visit to Enevate Homes in Wishaw to observe that at first hand.

Today, I was delighted to attend the skills demonstration outside the Parliament that was hosted by the Scottish Traditional Building Forum, where I tried my hand at some slate cutting. I do not think that it is something that I see in my future, but seeing young people engaging in those endeavours was very exciting.

I understand that the initiative has not yet been rolled out across the country. Does the minister agree that supporting such heritage skills workshops through local schools is vital to promoting rewarding careers and delivering on the objectives of the developing the young workforce strategy?

I also tried the slate cutting, and I have to admit that the results are sitting in my office, not in public view.

The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee is right to highlight the importance of ensuring that we have the right traditional skills available to sustain our historic environment and progress our journey to net zero. Historic Environment Scotland continues to champion traditional skills and works with stakeholders to address traditional skill gaps to ensure that Scotland’s historic buildings can thrive as part of the country’s sustainable future. The role of colleges in all that will be essential, as will be the partnership working that I indicated.

Modern apprenticeships are essential to training and upskilling our workforce. Many constituents across my region will be concerned about the sector’s future and viability. Last week, the Scottish Training Federation said:

“Scottish Government delays in setting its skills and employability budgets this year is having a devastating impact on training providers. Many have made staff redundant, and several are on the brink of closure.”

If that comes to pass, it will have a devastating impact in my region, including in the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency. I say to the minister that this is a matter of urgency. When will the Scottish Government get its act together and support the industry? When will those budgets be confirmed?

That was a typically positive contribution from the Conservatives.

We have been focused on delivering the target of 25,000 modern apprenticeships. As part of that process, Skills Development Scotland has been redistributing some places that have not been taken up—it is doing that as we speak.

On the budget, that matter is being worked on just now, and we will provide further detail in due course.

Outside Parliament today, there is a construction and traditional skills demonstration, with young people from the industry delivering mini master classes to school pupils. I spoke with students who emphasised the importance of industry-based courses at colleges and universities across Scotland. They highlighted how important skills-based labour courses are to our heritage sector and how positively they can contribute to industry recruitment overall. Can the minister advise how the withdrawal of funding to universities and colleges is expected to impact on those essential industry-based courses?

I think that that betrays a lack of understanding of what the £46 million was for. It was transition funding. The actual teaching grant remained at the same level as it was last year. I recognise that that will still present challenges for some of our colleges and universities, but I know that they are committed to preserving some of these skills in partnership with the heritage agencies.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

Question 6 was not lodged.