Current status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 21 October 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Construction Skills Investment Plan 2015, which identified the need for flexible models of modern apprenticeship delivery, what progress it has made towards achieving this outcome, particularly for tiling and roof slating modern apprenticeships in rural areas.
The Scottish Government recognises the potential of the shared apprenticeship model to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that may lack the capacity to employ an apprentice independently. Officials will continue to explore this model alongside other measures which may enable more SMEs to take on apprentices.
A key priority for the Scottish Government is also to promote apprenticeship delivery in island and rural communities, reflecting its commitment to inclusive growth. To ensure equitable access, particularly in remote and rural areas, the Government has introduced a rural uplift: an enhanced payment to training providers that incentivises delivery in these locations. This additional support enables providers to develop and deliver flexible, locally tailored apprenticeship programmes that meet the needs of learners and employers in these communities.