The minimal age for leaving college in Scotland ought to be lowered from 16 to 14, in accordance with plans being proposed by the Scottish Conservatives.
Social gathering chief Russell Findlay mentioned the “bold idea” would enable youngsters to flee a “system that isn’t working for them” and as an alternative pursue a “hybrid education” by happening to varsity or taking on an apprenticeship.
The MSP for West Scotland will use a speech throughout Apprenticeship Week on Wednesday to suggest the coverage.
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Scottish Conservative chief Russell Findlay. Pic: PA
He mentioned: “My party is putting forward a common sense agenda for change.
“This isn’t about writing off these younger individuals. It’s the very reverse of that.
“It is about guiding each individual onto the path best suited to their aspirations.
“It’s about giving younger individuals a possibility to proceed in a type of hybrid schooling that’s higher suited to their abilities.
“Upon leaving school at 15, maybe even 14, they would still be required to stay in education.
“However it could be a type of schooling that works for them. A quick monitor to alternative, whether or not faculty or an apprenticeship.
“By developing our proposal hand in hand with businesses, we could make Scotland’s economy fit for the future.”
If applied, the college leaving age of 14 can be one of many lowest in Europe.
In response, Training Secretary Jenny Gilruth described the proposal – which was beforehand championed by the Scottish Tories in 2011 – as “Dickensian”.
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Training Secretary Jenny Gilruth. Pic: PA
She added: “The Tories should say what they mean – they want to see working class children leave school at 14 and leave academic pursuits to the middle and upper class. That is not an approach this government will agree with.
“We are going to proceed to take motion to make sure each baby in Scotland regardless of their background has the chance to reach no matter path they select.
“The last time the school leaving age was changed to 14 was over a century ago.
“Tory values could also be rooted within the Victorian period – however we is not going to enable them to pull our schooling system right into a bygone age with this Dickensian coverage.
“As ever, what is common sense to the Tories makes no sense to anyone else.”
The Scottish Tories’ proposal comes amid a name by Abilities Improvement Scotland (SDS) to put aside time at school for pupils to find out about apprenticeships to enhance minority ethnic participation.
The abilities physique has made 20 suggestions to the Scottish authorities and employers in a report printed to coincide with Apprenticeship Week.
In response to the newest information, 4.5% of these beginning apprenticeships in 2023/24 reported being from an ethnic minority, whereas the proportion within the inhabitants sits at 7.1%, in accordance with the 2022 census outcomes.
Suggestions to Holyrood embrace guaranteeing colleges give “equal weighting” to apprenticeships as constructive locations, whereas suggestions to employers embrace implementing anti-racism frameworks, paying the Residing Wage and signing as much as Truthful Work practices.
Faculties are additionally being urged to make sure devoted time is allotted within the curriculum for studying about apprenticeship alternatives, in addition to present help with the appliance course of.
A Scottish authorities spokesperson mentioned: “The Scottish government recognises the importance of improving ethnic minority representation in apprenticeships, which is why ministers welcome the report and the detailed recommendations made by the Race Commission.
“We are going to now take into account how these suggestions may be embedded within the abilities system as we take ahead our reform work.”
