The Shared Apprentice Programme is a non-profit pilot project aimed at small and medium sized companies who cannot commit to taking an apprentice for the full four years.

Running effectively in Angus since 2015, in partnership with Angus Council, Dundee and Angus College and construction businesses supported by CITB, and endorsed by Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Government, the Shared Apprentice company employs the apprentices and places them with host employers.

Councillor Lynne Short convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “I’m really pleased that this scheme is being extended to Dundee employers and young people.

“It means that smaller firms who maybe couldn’t afford to pay things like National Insurance, holiday pay, college fees or pension costs for an apprentice are freed from having to worry about all that and can just get on with the business of providing relevant, effective and efficient training.”

Kevin Murphy Chair of Shared Apprentice Programme said: “We are delighted to be able to bring a highly successful apprenticeship model into Dundee and we look forward to working with construction companies to train the next generation of apprentices.”

The scheme will employ apprentices and place them for a minimum of three months in a range of areas in demand with local business.

Apprentices’ wages follow Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) rates.

Craig Bruce, director of Pert Bruce Construction Ltd has been involved with the scheme and will be one of the speakers at the Dundee launch event on June 7.

He said: “We are delighted to support this excellent example of an initiative which addresses one of the construction industry’s biggest challenges of skill shortage. It provides an opportunity for small businesses to take on apprentices when they are not able to commit to the full four years of the apprenticeship programme.”

Employers interested in becoming a part of the scheme can find out more at a business breakfast scheduled for 7.30am at Dundee and Angus College’s Kingsway Campus Lecture Theatre on Wednesday.