Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026: How MaPS can help employers build skills that work for Scotland

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026Opens in a new window takes place from 2 to 6 March and this year’s theme is ‘Working for Scotland’. The campaign provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the positive impact of apprenticeships for individuals and organisations across the country, and we are delighted to assist Skills Development Scotland in highlighting some of the benefits. 

Data from Skills Development ScotlandOpens in a new window shows that there are currently around 12,000 apprentice employers and nearly 40,000 apprentices in training in Scotland, which means that apprenticeships make a significant contribution to the workforce and the economy.

Their stats suggest it’s good news for businesses too, with 90% of employers saying apprenticeships have significantly improved job performance and, three months after completion, 9 out of 10 individuals are still working for the employer they started their apprenticeship with.

While apprenticeships can help the nation to create careers, develop industry and generate economic growth, it’s important to consider the financial wellbeing of apprentices and young employees, and to ensure that they have the skills they need to manage their money well, both now and in the future.

We believe the workplace is a critical delivery channel that can improve both financial wellbeing and financial education for individuals and households. Our own research has found that three in four UK teachers think most young people now leave school or college without the money skills they need, and employers can play an important role by connecting young employees, trainees and apprentices with access to financial literacy programmes, or by signposting them to reliable information, tools and services.

At MaPS, we help people across the UK to improve their financial wellbeing and resilience for a better, more confident future. We work with organisations like yours to make sure that everyone has access to high-quality money and pensions guidance how and when they need it, whether they are new to the world of work, established in their career or considering their retirement options.

Our range of free, impartial and government-backed resources are available to all employers, and cover a whole host of topics, including: 

• Building financial wellbeing for young employees and apprentices  
• Encouraging employees to plan for their retirement  
• Sharing good practice.

Our consumer-facing service, MoneyHelperOpens in a new window, is there to cut through the jargon and complexity and make your money and pension choices clearer.

It offers a wide range of easy-to-use tools and calculatorsOpens in a new window that helps your apprentices and young employees to understand and plan for most common money situations. It can also recommend further, trusted sources of information if required.

For Scottish Apprenticeship Week, why not try sharing our:

• Budget planner Opens in a new window 
• Pension calculatorOpens in a new window  
• Workplace pension contribution calculatorOpens in a new window.

As an employer, you could consider providing apprentices and young employees with some money management materials to help increase their knowledge of tax and National InsuranceOpens in a new window, budgetingOpens in a new window and payslip informationOpens in a new window.

MoneyHelper’s guide for young adults aged 16 to 24Opens in a new window can also be used to help young workers or apprentices understand pay, pensions and finances. 

Our work extends to partners in every sector and setting, and we can help you to share credible information with your people at vital ‘moments that matter’.

If you need further assistance, your local Partnership Manager can collaborate with you to build financial wellbeing across your organisation. We offer expertise and guidance to businesses like yours, and bring an understanding of some of the challenges in your area, so please feel free to get in touch.

I enjoy supporting a variety of employers across Scotland, and your apprentices, trainees and young employees will really benefit from a proactive approach to money matters during Scottish Apprenticeship Week and beyond.