Mr Russell said the technical and professional apprenticeships would run alongside the existing modern apprenticeship scheme.

BBC: Post-16 reform statement

In 2011 the Scottish government appointed Angela Constance as the first youth employment minister in the UK, pledging to deliver 25, 000 modern apprenticeship opportunities each year.

BBC: Group to help school leavers gain vocational skills

The authority said tackling youth unemployment was a top priority and said that in the last year it had taken on 391 young people as part of its modern apprenticeship scheme.

BBC: Youth unemployment in Falkirk falls to 2010 levels

The government is guaranteeing every single 16 to 19-year-old in Scotland will be offered a learning or training place if they are not in already in a job, a Modern Apprenticeship or in education.

BBC: College funding debate