Edinburgh and Lothian sector of the development agency for Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, plans to invest £12.6m to improve skills levels and help train young people as part of its budget for 2007-08.
The funding is part of a £50m budget to enhance economic development activity in the region and is up 25% on 2006-07.
The money allocated for skills training will include almost £9.5m to support 4,800 modern apprenticeships. And £2m will be used to support 700 young people not in education, employment or training through the Get Ready for Work programme.
Dave Anderson senior director of operations for Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian said: “Our activity over the coming year will be targeted at increasing productivity in the region by investing in the skills of our workforce; encouraging businesses to undertake more research and development; and capitalising on the region’s academic excellence.”
