An extra 600 apprenticeships will be funded in management positions, it was announced yesterday.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the places would help the Scottish economy to recover.

She said: "In order to ensure that our economy continues to be competitive in a global market over the next few years we need to invest now in people who can develop high level management and leadership skills."

The funding - available to employers - is part of a £16m package announced earlier in this year's budget to recruit 7800 apprentices in Scotland.