Score Group, of Peterhead, has lambasted the Scottish Government for showing “a complete disregard” for industry over the new apprenticeship levy.
Managing director Conrad Ritchie warned the “fiasco” could “seriously impact” on the firm’s future apprentice training.
Score said yesterday it was detecting green shoots of recovery in the global oil and gas industry and planning for the future by increasing the size of its apprenticeship scheme in 2017-18.
It aims to recruit 80 apprentices globally within a year, having already taken on 25 engineering and six business administration trainees for its Peterhead operations in July.
But Mr Ritchie said there were “harsh realities” facing any large Scottish business trying to run apprenticeship schemes this year.
He added: “For Score Group, the levy charge is a six-figure sum. This is money effectively being taken from our training budget on the premise that it will be returned through government funding of training.
“To date we remain in the dark as to where the Scottish Government has used the monies collected.
“By contrast, the English system for redistribution of the levy monies is transparent and promotes the modernisation of apprentice training.
“The Scottish Government’s handling of the apprentice levy may seriously impact on Score Group’s future apprentice training unless the company starts to see an effective return of the levy monies.”
Calling for “clear answers” on where the money is being spent, he added: “People might not feel it is relevant to them as an individual, but it is their children and grandchildren’s future we’re discussing.
“The money collected is enough to make Scotland’s apprenticeship set-up the envy of the world and could bring leading technology industries to the country. However, the lion’s share of the levy fund has disappeared into a black hole.”
The £3billion levy scheme started on May 1, with all employers with a wage bill of more than £3million a year required to contribute.
Mr Ritchie also claimed potential new recruits were being steered away from the oil and gas industry.
He added: “In particular, there has recently been a severe drop in the number of female applicants for engineering apprenticeships. Our industry and the education sector must be aware that the biggest risk to the long-term future of the oil and gas industry here comes from the adoption of short-term thinking. The industry needs young people and especially young women.”
A government spokesman said: “The introduction of the UK apprenticeship levy was announced without consultation with Scottish ministers – even though apprenticeships is an area of devolved responsibility. Funds raised will be invested in skills, training and workforce development to meet the needs to employers, the workforce, young people and Scotland’s economy.
“The Scottish Government is working with employers and other partners to ensure we maximise the benefits of the approach we are taking.”
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