Modern Apprenticeships

That the Parliament welcomes the Scottish Government report, Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) from Modern Apprenticeships: 2016/17: Scotland, which is the first of its kind to track the earnings of those who completed modern apprenticeships (MAs); recognises the importance of MAs to expand opportunities for young people; notes with concern that, in 2018-19, there has been a 3% decrease in the proportion of female starts compared with 2015-16; expresses further concern that, on average, male apprentices earn 45% more than their female counterparts; understands that individuals from the 20% least deprived areas earned £4,500 more than those from the 20% most deprived areas, and recognises the value of apprentices in driving social mobility and ensuring that Scotland develops a high wage, skilled economy.