In September 2007, the Scottish Government committed to creating a Smarter Scotland and put skills at the top of the agenda. With the challenges of the global market, a growing migrant workforce and an ageing population, the need for skilled workers is no longer a question but a pressing demand which will have an impact on Scotland’s long-term economic growth.

The Skills Strategy must be founded on an evidence-based assessment of Scotland’s labour market and consultation with employers. The strategy must also attempt to understand the aspirations and challenges presented to young people wishing to follow careers through vocational training.
In March 2008 The Apprenticeships (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Labour MSP John Park, set out guidelines for increasing the numbers of young people entering apprenticeships in response to both the skills gap and the desire for work-based training in key industries.

The case for a right to an apprenticeship for suitable candidates is based on the benefits for employers, the apprentices themselves and for the long-term economic stability of Scotland. By teaching apprentices skills, employers invest in their own business growth, the stability of the industry and the wider community.

Successful delivery relies on engagement and co-operation between industry leaders, colleges across Scotland and government support agencies. In addition to this, attitudes towards vocational training and apprenticeships need to be overcome in order to create a parity of esteem between higher education and vocational routes into work.

While there appears to be support for apprenticeships across the political divide there remain many unanswered questions. Who is responsible for delivery and promotion, what sort of numbers are we talking about and what will the future role of apprenticeships in the Skills Strategy be?

This conference offers the opportunity to hear from leading experts in the apprenticeship debate, and how colleges and industry leaders believe we can maximise provision and success.

Your contribution to this conference – as speaker, listener, decision maker or opinion former – is vital on the road to reinvigorating apprenticeships for the 21st century.




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08:45 Registration and refreshments

09:30 Welcome and introduction by the chair
Michael Crow, Journalist, STV

Session one:
Where we are and where we want to be

The Scottish Government has announced its commitment to
creating a Smarter Scotland, with increased skills and development
at the heart of that strategy. A key area to be addressed is the
Modern Apprenticeships offered to 16-18-year-olds and how the
needs of employers and what young people can access can be
more successfully realigned. This session will set the scene for the
conference by exploring proposals and the case for legislation.

09:40 Modern Apprenticeships: The case for legislation
John Park MSP, author of the Apprenticeships (Scotland) Bill
Including a Q&A session

10:05 Apprenticeships: The challenge of globalisation
Dr Hilary Steedman , Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics

10:25 We don’t need to settle for so little
Jim Sillars, former MP for Govan and trade union activist

10:45 Questions and discussion

11:00 Refreshments

Session two:
The business case
Apprenticeships have traditionally played a key role in Scotland’s industrial success. With the challenges presented to the economy, modern apprenticeships offer businesses the opportunity to shape the workforce they train for their future growth in increasingly diverse sectors. This session will examine the business case for the government and public and private bodies to invest in modern apprentices to ensure the long-term stability of the country.

11:20 Preparing for the future: In-work training
Dr Peter Hughes OBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Engineering

11:40 The local authority perspective
Linda Ferguson, Lead Officer,Transformational Regeneration Development and Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council

11:55 Benefits of work-based training
Willie Docherty, Managing Director, City Building (Glasgow) LLP
Mark Lynch, Master Builder Young Apprentice of the Year 2007, City Building (Glasgow) LLP

12:15 Questions and discussion

12:40 Lunch

Session three:
The Scottish market - The Skills Gap
Looking at the long-term economic growth of Scotland means a constantly evolving dialogue between employers and skills agencies to assess the needs of the labour market and how these can be met. This session will hear from industry leaders,
employers and sector skills leaders to understand the skills gap in Scotland and what can be done to plan for the future.
Panellists will debate the idea of providing incentives for employers to take on apprentices and other themes arising
throughout the conference.

13:30 Supply and demand
Dr Lesley Sawers , Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Development & Industry

13:50 PANEL DEBATE:
What incentives (fiscal or otherwise) should be in place to encourage employers to take on apprentices?
Dr Lesley Sawers , Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Development & Industry
Dr Peter Hughes, Chief Executive, Scottish Engineering
Michael Levack, Chief Executive, Scottish Building Federation
Pat McMullan, former National Strategy Manager for the British Gas Engineering Academy
Stuart Lyon, Vice Chairman, SummitSkills

14:40 Refreshments

Session three:
Colleges and support networks
The success of vocational training schemes relies on the support and active promotion of apprenticeships from the
government’s delivery networks. Scotland’s colleges need the infrastructure to accommodate increasing numbers of
apprentices and there must be a greater engagement between industry employers and the colleges who provide the training.
This session will look at the restructuring of the government’s skills agencies, the network of colleges across Scotland and the
role they play in driving apprenticeships forward.

15:00 The role of Scotland’s colleges
Howard McKenzie , Acting Chief Executive, Association of Scotland’s Colleges and Principal, Jewel & Esk College

15:20 The skills we need and how to get there
Jacqui Hepburn, Acting Alliance Director Scotland, The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils

15:40 Government support networks
Willy Roe, Chair, Skills Development Scotland

16:00 Questions and discussion

16:20 Closing remarks from the chair

16:30 Close of conference

IF YOU WORK . . .

FOR A SKILLS AGENCY
Scotland requires skills that are responsive to, and aligned with, actions to boost demand. Skills agencies play an important role in implementing government strategies for development and learning. This conference will provide you with the opportunity to hear experts in the field forecast the skills Scotland needs in the longer term and how we can get there. It will also
open discussion on the implications for skills agencies of the Apprenticeships Bill and allow you to contribute to the debate.

IN EDUCATION
The key to meeting targets for modern apprenticeships and increasing the profile of vocational training lies in engaging school pupils from an early age. By attending this conference you will find out the role of schools and colleges in the delivery of targets and the key role you play in changing attitudes towards vocational training.

IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
By attending this conference you will have a greater understanding of the vital role played by the public sector in taking modern apprenticeships forward.
With successful initiatives already undertaken by some local authorities, the public sector has the ways and means to facilitate business connections and support apprenticeship schemes as an exemplary employer. With examples of best practice, you will have the opportunity to put your opinions forward on how to promote, support and benefit from apprenticeships.

IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
If you work in a sector which currently employs or would like to employ apprentices, then you can not afford to miss this vital conference. With the skills gap widening, key industries need to address the labour shortages now to plan for a successful future. This conference will address the issues head on and hear from the experts on what employers want and what they
need to make modern apprenticeships work for them. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the debate and what your business needs.

• Local authorities and public sector employers; primary and secondary teachers;
• civil servants working in education and skills; higher & further education establishments, sixth-form colleges and centres;
• college boards of training; institutes; private training providers; partners in lifelong learning;
• further education representative bodies; regional development agencies; sector skills councils;
• government skills agencies; infrastructure providers; small business services; local enterprise companies;
• social economy partnerships; employers; charities and NGOs working with young people; community trusts;
• business bodies and representative groups; trade unions;
• trade associations; funding councils and initiatives, enterprise networks; awarding bodies;
• construction and businesses and initiatives; careers advisers and organisations;
• economic regeneration bodies; employment agencies; equality organisations;
• funding and research councils; professional bodies;
• Scottish Government, UK Government; business/industry journalists.

• What impact has the changing skills landscape had on Scotland’s economy?
• What is the nature and extent of the present skills mismatch?
• How can improving the skills profile contribute to Scotland’s long-term economic growth?
• What does the Scottish Government propose to address the widening skills gap and how will these changes be implemented?
• What are the key issues to Scotland’s colleges?
• What are the key industries that need to recruit apprentices?
• Who should be responsible for providing support to businesses taking on apprentices?
  

• Find out more about the proposals set out in the Apprenticeships (Scotland) Bill
• Hear from experts on the challenges facing the Scottish economy
• Learn about the new role of Skills Development Scotland and how this will affect the provision of Modern Apprenticeships
• Hear good practice examples from industry leaders and local authorities
• Learn about the relationship between colleges and industries in the successful delivery of Modern Apprenticeship qualifications
• Discuss and debate the key issues influencing changes in the Modern Apprenticeships system.

Full rate: £249 + VAT (£292.58)
(Commercial organisations, central government departments, agencies, legal firms and other national public bodies)

Reduced rate: £199 + VAT (£233.83)
(Local Authorities, trade unions, professional associations, NHS, police and charitable organisations with an income over £1million)

Discounted rate: £149 + VAT (£175.08)
(Charitable organisations with an income of less than £1million – limited places)

Supported rate: £99 + VAT (£116.33)
(Students, community councils, unpaid volunteers and community action groups – limited places)

Bookings made before 16th May all receive a 10 per cent discount. For clarification of rate please contact 0131 272 2133

Our Dynamic Earth
112 Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
EH8 8AS

tel: 0131 550 7800

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