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Get your free copy26 June 2012, 09:29 AM
- The Government has announced that modern apprentices are at the centre of a plan to support the growth of Scotland's £12.5 billion food and drink industry
Thousands of jobs are hoped to be created in the sector over the next five years.
The announcement is part of the Food and Drink Skills Investment Plan, an initiative set up to attract more young people to the industry and support development in the sector.
Richard Lochhead, the Scottish rural affairs secretary, said, “Scotland is rightly hailed as a land of food and drink, with our wonderful produce recognised the world over, and we want to build on our reputation at every turn.
“Food and drink is a Scottish success story at a time when other industries are struggling due to tough economic conditions. The Food and Drink Skills Investment Plan will help the industry flourish, encouraging closer working between the public and private sector as well as highlighting the fantastic career opportunities on offer to young people across Scotland.
“Four years ago there were less than 100 food and drink modern apprentices and now there are more than 1,000. This represents a huge vote of confidence by the industry in a process that allows them to grow their own skilled people to meet the need of their business,” he said.
