APPRENTICESHIPS offer high quality work-based learning, that was the message this week when Scottish Labour Deputy Leader and Fife MSP Alex Rowley met with Kelty woman Tracey Wright to discuss her experience of doing a modern apprenticeship with Cowdenbeath Butcher Hugh Black and Son.

Tracey, who is working her way through the modern apprenticeship in Meat and Poultry, told Mr Rowley that the experience of working for a new qualification had been very satisfactory and that there had been a lot of support from her employer and Skills Development Scotland.

There are already more than 37,000 people in Scotland working, learning and earning as Modern Apprentices which offers an alternative to full-time college or university by learning on the job and gaining qualifications that are accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Alex Rowley said: “It was great to hear from Tracey her experience and there is a message to people of all ages that if you want to get experience and a qualification there is support to do so".

The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP added: “Our ambition for Scotland must be full employment within a high skills high wage economy and to achieve this we need to up our game in term of skills and qualifications.

"The modern apprenticeship route is one that I very much support and want to see more people being given the opportunity to gain qualifications."

Mr Rowley was promoting Scottish Apprenticeship Week and thanked Hugh Black and Son for offering apprenticeship places and urged other employers to have a look at the options for offering modern apprenticeships in the workplace.

Our photograph shows Sean Graham and Emma Higginson from Skills Development Scotland along with Tracey Wright and Alex Rowley.