The new figure, which was announced ahead of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017, is up on last year’s target of 26,000 apprenticeship starts and is a step towards the government’s commitment to 30,000 starts per year by 2020.

Organised by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Scottish Apprenticeship Week is aimed at encouraging more employers to take on apprentices and more young people to consider a work based learning route into employment.

New Foundation Apprenticeships also mean young people can now start an apprenticeship at school while Graduate Level Apprenticeships provide employees with work based learning opportunities to degree level.

More Modern Apprenticeship opportunities will provide the chance for a record number of young people to work, learn and earn.

Minister for employability and training, Jamie Hepburn, said: “Apprenticeships support young people into sustainable careers, reduce youth unemployment and help meet Scotland’s skill requirements.

“Along with the rest of my colleagues, I am looking forward to seeing first-hand the number and the breadth of programmes supported by the Scottish Government over the course of this week.

“Since this Government came into office in 2007, over 200,000 Modern Apprenticeship starts have been delivered. Scotland currently has the second lowest youth unemployment in Europe and our world class work based learning system is a factor in this.

“By significantly boosting the number of apprentice places on offer, we are reinforcing our commitment to provide accessible education opportunities which will support our learners and the wider economy.

“I would encourage more employers, both large and small, to take advantage of the opportunities presented by employing Modern Apprentices, and talk to Skills Development Scotland to find out more.”

Skills Development Scotland chief executive, Damien Yeates, said: “We want businesses and individuals to know that apprenticeships are changing.

“Apprenticeships are designed by employers for employers and provide the talent they want for the growth they need to develop their workforce.

“Business and industry continue to invest in apprenticeships, even in challenging economic times, which is a testament to the value they see in work based learning.”

Scottish Apprenticeship Week runs from 6 to 10 March with events and activity across the country.