MORE employers hiring apprentices is vital to the Forth Valley economy according to the business-led group set up to develop the young workforce in the region.

DYW Forth Valley, along with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is urging more employers to hire apprentices to boost their business and support the local economy.

The call comes ahead of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017 from March 6-10.

Organised by SDS, the campaign highlights the benefits for businesses that have decided to invest in the skills of their employees.

Businesses in Scotland employed a record number of apprentices last year as more than 25,500 young people got the chance to work, learn and earn.

Last year there were 289 new Modern Apprenticeship starts in Clackmannanshire, 918 in Falkirk and 411 in Stirling.

A survey of apprentice employers showed three quarters said that apprentices improved productivity, while nine out of ten would recommend apprenticeships to their industry.

Jen Henderson, programme manager at DYW Forth Valley, said: “Local employers hiring apprentices is vital to developing the young workforce and crucial for employers to make sure they have the right skills for the future.

“We encourage all employers – no matter their size to consider the benefits apprenticeships could bring to their business.

“There’s no better time than Scottish Apprenticeship Week to find out more about work based learning.”

SDS head of operations for South East Scotland Grant McDougall said: "Apprenticeships are changing with more opportunities than ever for anyone – no matter their background – to work learn and earn.

“Employers can benefit from apprenticeships by making skills work for their business.

“If you are an employer looking to build a skilled, motivated workforce through apprenticeships, SDS can offer advice and support.”

Alison Wood, human resources director at UCP based in Bridge of Allan, said: “UCP have a long history of recruiting apprentices to help meet the engineering skills demands both currently and for the future.

“We find it increasingly difficult to source these skills in the open market, where there is already an overall skills shortage. Given the bespoke nature of our processes it means that any new talent we bring into the business, have to undergo an extensive internal training programme.

“With our apprentices however, by the time they have completed the full training programme they are well on the journey to becoming a fully competent engineer/electrician, and in fact add value to our processes throughout their training. The fact that we have an apprenticeship programme clearly demonstrates our company’s commitment for the long term, and bringing fresh talent into the business helps build morale and overall employee engagement.”

Skills Development Scotland pays a contribution towards the cost of training apprentices on behalf of the Scottish Government.

New Foundation Apprenticeships mean young people can also now start a Modern Apprenticeship at school while Graduate Level Apprenticeships provide employees with work based learning opportunities to degree level.

Find out more at apprenticeships.scot where employers can also post vacancies for free.