Print Scotland, the sector’s trade body, has issued a stark warning during Scottish Apprenticeship Week that Scotland risks a “skills cliff edge” unless apprenticeship funding disparities with England are urgently addressed.
Under the current system, a Print Industry Occupations apprenticeship in Scotland attracts just £3,200 in training contribution (age 16–19) and only £1200 for 19–24-year-olds. In England, comparable Print Technician apprenticeships attract funding closer to £10,000, representing a gap of almost £7,000 per apprentice.
Leaders from across Scotland’s print, packaging and label industries say the disparity places Scottish businesses and training providers at a serious disadvantage.
Richard McCombe, Managing Director of Graphic Warehouse, representing the large format print and signage sector, and Vice President of Print Scotland, said: “How can a Scottish apprentice be worth less than half of their English counterpart? The qualification level is comparable. The industrial skill level is comparable. But the funding support is nowhere near comparable.”
McCombe said the industry remains committed to developing the next generation of skilled workers but warned that employers are increasingly being asked to carry an unsustainable share of the cost.
The issue is shared across the wider print supply chain. Micheil Molenaar, President of Print Scotland and Managing Director of Kennedy Smith, representing the packaging sector, said: “Packaging supports some of Scotland’s most successful export industries, including food and drink and pharmaceuticals. These industries depend on highly skilled technical operators.
“If apprenticeship pipelines weaken because funding does not match the real cost of training, that will ultimately impact the wider economy.”
