Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work Roseanna Cunningham has set a target of 26,000 Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland next year.
The increase confirmed at an event in Dundee will help the Scottish Government achieve its ambition of having 30,000 apprentices a year by 2020.
She said: “Modern Apprentices are key to delivering economic development and a strong economy.”
Ms Cunningham was addressing the SCDI Skills Summit in the Apex Hotel marking the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
The annual event honours the contribution of Scotland’s Modern Apprentices across the country and in all walks of life.
Organised by Skills Development Scotland, the week highlights the commitment of businesses that have invested in workforce skills.
It also showcases the successes of apprentices who have chosen to earn while they learn to develop their careers.
SDS wants businesses, industry, colleges, councils and training providers to back the scheme, and to see that Modern Apprenticeships work for firms, individuals and the economy.
Ms Cunningham said: “Modern Apprenticeships form a significant part of our work to address youth employment.
“Over the past four years, the Scottish Government has supported more than 101,000 Modern Apprenticeship starts exceeding our ambitious target to deliver 25,000 MA opportunities in each year of the current parliament.”
The target for 2016-17 has been raised to 26,000, and Ms Cunningham said the Government was committed to doing even more to reach the goal of 30,000 a year by 2020.
John McClelland, chairman of Skills Development Scotland, said: “More employers see the benefits that apprentices bring to their businesses.
“Apprenticeships mean businesses can find the talent they need for the growth they want.”
SCDI chief executive Ross Martin said improving the transition from school to employment and enabling people to adapt to the changing nature of the economy were key challenges.
The first issue was explored by a panel including Grant Ritchie, principal of Dundee and Angus College, and James Buchan, founder of Zudu, a Dundee app development company.
Ellis Watson, chief executive officer of DC Thomson Publishing, looked at futureproofing the workforce by enabling people to adapt to employment opportunities in the changing economy.