More young people under 25 are now being employed by the NHS in Scotland.
Recent government work to boost employment opportunities for young people has led the number of people aged under 25 employed by the NHS to increase by 13.5% between December 2012 and December 2013.
The rise means that around 6,700 NHS staff across Scotland are aged under 25.
The Modern Apprentice Programme is part of a range of opportunities that offers to help young people secure worthwhile training and job opportunities within the NHS in Scotland.
Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “Employing young people represents an investment for the future of NHS Scotland, and it is important that we continue to create jobs and opportunities for young people.
“The cost of youth unemployment is significant and the NHS, alongside other public sector employers, is working hard to provide opportunities for young people to gain valuable employment experience.
“It is fantastic that NHS boards across Scotland are employing an increasing number of young people under 25, and I am keen for this upward trend to continue.
The number of people aged under 25 working within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has also increased significantly, by 19.2% between January 2013 and January 2014.
Lyndsay Lauder, head of workforce planning and development for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is absolutely committed to helping young people find employment through our Modern Apprenticeship Programme. We work with our partners in further education to ensure that young people are fully supported with both work-based experience and further learning.
“Each apprentice has a mentor in addition to their line manager who supports them during their time on the programme. We offer the programme in a range of different jobs across the health service and each Modern Apprentice has the opportunity to gain a formal qualification in addition to their valuable work experience.”
