In a speech today, Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross will say that we must break the “20th Century mindset” that technical skills are somehow less important than going to university.
On a visit to defence supplier Thales in Glasgow to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, he will say “there is still a stigma attached to pupils who take up an apprenticeship rather than going to university”.
Douglas Ross will speak to apprentices about his own experience, going from his local school to college in Ayr.
The Scottish Conservative Leader is the only current Scottish political party leader who did not attend university.
He will say going to college instead of university was “invaluable” and a “fantastic experience” that taught him life skills he might not have learned at university.
On apprenticeships, Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross will say: “Apprenticeship Week, for me, is about celebrating your achievements but it is also about inspiring the next generation of Scottish students to look long and hard at taking up an apprenticeship when they leave school.
“Because there is still a stigma attached to young people who take up an apprenticeship rather than going to university.
“In far too many schools and for far too many pupils, going to university is seen as the best and only plausible outcome.
“Which shows that we still do not value technical skills, as a society, as we should.
“We still have more to do to break this 20th Century mindset that exists in our education system about what is the best future for our young people – particularly for women and girls.”
On defence spending, Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross will say: “The UK needs a strong defence sector now more than it has at any point in the last 30 years.
“Russian aggression has once again put defence spending and the role and capabilities of our armed forces under sharp focus.
“We are once more facing a divided Europe and we again have to prove that we have the resolve and the might to defend NATO’s eastern border.
“In 2020, the Prime Minister set out plans for an additional £24 billion in spending – the largest increase since the end of the Cold War.
“We have already seen significant increases in the budgets of our allies, including €100 billion extra from Germany.
“It is my expectation that we will see increased spending here as well, and that must mean that we have a defence sector that is able to make efficient and effective use of those additional resources to increase the security of the UK and of our allies.
“So, in short, the work that you are now doing is more important than it has been in any of your lifetimes.”
