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Scotland has launched a new drive which will pay companies up to £2,000 to recruit an apprentice.

The Adopt An Apprentice scheme will reward employers who enrol redundant apprentices onto their training programmes.

Launching the drive, education and lifelong learning secretary Fiona Hyslop explains that it is open to businesses in all sectors.

She adds: 'Apprentices are vital for Scotland's recovery. That is why the Scottish government announced a huge increase in funding of £16 million for 7,800 new apprenticeships this year.'

The wider ScotAction programme aims deliver to skills assistance support, such as training and wage subsidies, to help the country's businesses emerge from the downturn in a stronger position.

Earlier this week, the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland approved 12 college projects to examine how skills can be more effectively used in the country.