BUSINESSES across Glasgow are being encouraged to employ more modern apprentices, giving people the opportunity to earn while they learn.

As the third Scottish Apprenticeship Week gets under way, Skills Develop-ment Scotland is urging bosses to recruit 25,000 modern apprentices – matching the number who entered training last year across more than 80 occupations.

Industry experts say modern apprentices can bring a host of benefits to firms and the economy.

West of Scotland companies backing the week include Glasgow's Railcare, Doosan, from Renfrew, and Wabtec, from Kilmarnock.

This year will be the biggest Scottish Apprentice-ship Week so far with more than 80 events planned by firms, colleges, local authorities and other bodies across Scotland.

Skills Development Scotland chairman John McClelland said: "The main aims of Scottish Appren-ticeship Week are to show employers the tangible benefits that Modern Apprentices can bring to their businesses as well as giving people a vital start in their careers.

"I hope this week will encourage employers to offer more apprenticeship opportunities, because of the benefits apprenticeships bring to individuals, their employers' businesses and Scotland's economy."

Glasgow engineering firm Railcare Scotland has been training apprentices for more than 100 years and believe they are vital for the survival of the industry.

Human resources manager Davy Farrell, who completed his apprenticeship with Railcare 36 years ago, said: "We are ensuring important skills are passed on from one generation to the next."

Cheryl Campbell is the first female apprentice to complete her training on the shop floor at Railcare since the Second World War.

She started as a engineering maintenance modern apprentice and quickly progressed on to a management modern apprenticeship.

The 22-year-old, from Easterhouse, now a project manager, said: "Everyone has been really supportive."

More information for firms is at: www.ourskillsforce.co.uk, or call 0800 783 6000; or for potential applicants at www.myworldofwork.co.uk

ewan.fergus@eveningtimes.co.uk