David Ferguson writes that the new system will see pro team squads cut to 28 or 29 players,a pool of apprentices on an annual payment of around £6,000 each and back-up squads of club players, who receive match fees when called up. It's claimed that the present system makes the leap from club to pro rugby too great.
David Jordan, Glasgow's chief executive, said: "Players are encouraged by this too because rather than them just coming along for a training session here and there as we have been doing, and getting little for their efforts, we can now reward them with a payment which underlines that we are seriously interested in their development. But, ultimately, apprentice contracts are only designed to assist, not employ.
"The players will still be heavily involved with club rugby, and a report that suggested we'd use the players in a central SRU pool, to move about the pro teams, is inaccurate. Like every Scottish pro, they will be employed by the SRU and it is a fact that we are looking to ensure the players get the best possible opportunity, but Glasgow apprentices will be Glasgow players.
"We do look at moves to help develop players generally. Dougie Hall, for instance, was a Glasgow hooker but because we had a few hookers he struggled to get a game, so he was moved to Edinburgh where he has made himself the No1, and gone on to become an international.
"We have to continually look at a player's development as well as the team's, and if we can work together to avoid good-quality talent sitting on the bench or not even getting in the squad then surely that's a good thing.
"But, while there may be some players who move, we certainly want to rely on Glasgow players, and having the back-up squad and the apprentice squad, on top of our academy and the Scottish Institute, I'm hopeful we'll be able to create a good strength in depth without having to go elsewhere."
You can read David Ferguson's article here