This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/5376228.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
McConnell in skills training plan McConnell in skills training plan
(30 minutes later)
The first minister has announced plans for the creation of up to 100 "Skills Academies" for young people who struggle at school in Scotland.The first minister has announced plans for the creation of up to 100 "Skills Academies" for young people who struggle at school in Scotland.
Jack McConnell told the Labour Party Conference that the measure would be introduced if the party wins the Holyrood elections next year.Jack McConnell told the Labour Party Conference that the measure would be introduced if the party wins the Holyrood elections next year.
The academies would focus on vocational courses and job training for 14 and 15-year-olds.The academies would focus on vocational courses and job training for 14 and 15-year-olds.
He said they would offer a future to children who struggle academically.He said they would offer a future to children who struggle academically.
Speaking at the gathering in Manchester, the first minister said these children would be offered an alternative from the usual classes for part of the week.Speaking at the gathering in Manchester, the first minister said these children would be offered an alternative from the usual classes for part of the week.
They would be able to take part in vocational courses in academies set up in some secondary schools and further education colleges.They would be able to take part in vocational courses in academies set up in some secondary schools and further education colleges.
It is time to think differently about how we prevent these young people from wasting their opportunities Jack McConnellFirst ministerIt is time to think differently about how we prevent these young people from wasting their opportunities Jack McConnellFirst minister
The first minister told delegates: "Scotland's primary schools have been transformed since devolution and now our secondary schools are producing 15-year-olds whose attainment is amongst the best in the world.The first minister told delegates: "Scotland's primary schools have been transformed since devolution and now our secondary schools are producing 15-year-olds whose attainment is amongst the best in the world.
"The education of most young Scots is very often top-class, but for some teenagers school can be de-motivating, disengaging and it doesn't bring the best out of them out of their school days.""The education of most young Scots is very often top-class, but for some teenagers school can be de-motivating, disengaging and it doesn't bring the best out of them out of their school days."
'Go further''Go further'
He claimed Labour had achieved success in smoothing the transition from primary to secondary and in cutting class sizes in maths and English.He claimed Labour had achieved success in smoothing the transition from primary to secondary and in cutting class sizes in maths and English.
"But we need to go further and we need to go faster," said the first minister"But we need to go further and we need to go faster," said the first minister
"It is time to think differently about how we prevent these young people from wasting their opportunities."It is time to think differently about how we prevent these young people from wasting their opportunities.
"Our new Skills Academies will be great for youngsters, great for businesses and great for our country.""Our new Skills Academies will be great for youngsters, great for businesses and great for our country."
Mr McConnell was reported to have been impressed by the response of some pupils to being allowed to spend part of their school week in college.Mr McConnell was reported to have been impressed by the response of some pupils to being allowed to spend part of their school week in college.
In a speech at the start of this month, he pledged that education and learning would be top of Labour's election agenda.In a speech at the start of this month, he pledged that education and learning would be top of Labour's election agenda.
Responding to the speech, Scottish National Party deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "Mr McConnell proved yet again today that he has run out of ideas and has nothing new to say to take Scotland forward.
"Only the SNP offers the ideas and the leadership that can change Scotland for the better and that's why more and more people think it's time for a SNP government."