Money is being made available to help redundant apprentices continue training.

The Scottish Government is providing additional support to Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to improve its existing ‘Adopt an Apprentice’ initiative.

Employers will receive £5,000 to help cover the costs of taking on Modern Apprentices (MA) who have been made redundant in the oil and gas sector.

Public or private sector companies are eligible to apply for the funding and must take on an MA for at least 12 months.

Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of SDS said: “While current circumstances in the oil and gas sector are challenging we need to remember this is a highly skilled industry and it is vital that we retain that knowledge and talent.”