Scottish Apprenticeship Week kicks off with Aberdeenshire council backing

THE importance of apprenticeships for businesses across Scotland has been reinforced by the boss of the countries national skills agency.

Frank Mitchell, chair of Skills Development Scotland, was speaking as Scottish National Apprentice Week got underway today.

More than 130,000 people have benefited from apprenticeships across the country in the past five years.

Mr Mitchell said:  “Demand from employers continues to drive the development and growth of Scottish Apprenticeships.

“Scottish Apprenticeships create opportunities for everyone no matter their background and for every business no matter its size or sector.

“Looking towards a future increasingly disrupted by technological and societal changes, work-based learning has never been more relevant for supporting people into highly productive and sustainable jobs.

“We are facing ever-growing demand for Foundation and Graduate Apprenticeships from employers, demonstrating that work-based learning is crucial to meeting critical skills gaps.”

Aberdeenshire Council has been working closely with a number of partners, including NHS Grampian, and delivered more than 200 Foundation Apprentice opportunities to young people.

It is currently offering Foundation Apprenticeships across eight subject areas, including one in Health and Social Care.

Foundation Apprenticeships provide work-based learning opportunities for pupils while they are still at school, supporting skills demands from employers and creating pathways into critical occupations for the Scottish economy and leads to a qualification at the same level as a Higher.

Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships are jobs where you work, learn and earn up to degree level.

Aberdeenshire councillor, Gillian Owen, chair of education and children’s services committee, said:  “We are ahead of the curve here in Aberdeenshire.

“Not every child is academic but it could be they are better with their hands.  The apprenticeship does lead to a qualification at a higher level.  May take them a bit longer but they get it and that is the key.

“We are looking at developing more partnerships. We have to give all our young people a chance and look to get more businesses to sign up for it.”

Aberdeenshire teenager, Rebecca Munro, is currently completing an Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship.

The 17-year-old Fraserburgh Academy pupil attends North East Scotland College where she is completing a National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering along with core units from the SVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations.

Her practical work placement is being carried out with Peterhead-based Score Europe Ltd.

Rebecca said:  “I did woodwork at school, so I had that experience but wanted to learn new ways of working and using analogue and digital measuring tools.”

Her experience as a Foundation Apprentice has confirmed her passion for engineering and she is has applied for a Graduate Apprenticeship with Score.

Stevie Wilson, Score Europe Training manager, believes young people in the traditional school system can be “isolated” from the world of work, so an apprenticeship gives them vital real-life workplace experience.

He said: “Score has a good relationship with local schools and colleges. We have always tried to support initiatives which build young peoples’ employability skills. Foundation Apprenticeships are a win/win.

“Since she started with us, Rebecca has gained a wider awareness of the working world.”