Share

Modern Apprenticeship Award finalists named

Finalists in Skills Development Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeship Awards include engineers, a welder, a joiner, a chef and a childminder.

Sponsored this year by HP, the awards recognise the value of apprenticeships. They enable people to earn while they learn the skills needed by employers and to gain qualifications on which to build their careers – in some cases up to degree level.

Organisations hoping for an honour in the 10th anniversary of the Awards include shipbuilding giants BAE Systems Surface Ships, Glasgow Housing Association, Scotrail and Siemens.

Also in the running for awards are Barony College, Dunoon construction firm Stewart McNee, Midlothian biotechnology company Ingenza Ltd, a Kilmarnock credit control company and engineering firms in Lanarkshire and Fife.

The Awards showcase the achievements of employers, apprentices and organisations who demonstrate initiative, enterprise and outstanding commitment to developing Scotland’s skills and economy.

Contenders in the Adult, Service and Construction and Production Apprentice of the Year categories include Kintore business administration apprentice Moira Cook, Ayrshire aeronautical engineer Jamie Gray, Castle Douglas childminder Kayleigh Shanks and Perth chef Paul Barrance.

All of the finalists will be at Glasgow Science Centre for the Awards in December.

HP’s Steve Murphy, Vice President, Global Account UKI, said: “HP are delighted to be the main sponsors at this year’s Modern Apprenticeship Awards. We have brought hundreds of technology jobs to our Erskine site, have vacancies for more and will be expanding our workforce there over the coming years. This will include a number of opportunities for graduates, interns and Modern Apprenticeships because we believe it is critical that Scotland equips all of its young people with business and technology skills which are essential to compete effectively in the global information economy. As someone born and brought up in Scotland this is particularly close to my heart.”

Skills Development Scotland’s Chief Executive Damien Yeates said: “The commitment shown to the Modern Apprenticeships programme by nominated employers reflects their belief in the benefits to their business, individuals and, ultimately, Scotland’s economy. They are terrific examples of a business using Modern Apprenticeship skills to lay a first class foundation for the company, their employees and all of their futures. The Awards also provide a great opportunity to recognise the achievements of individual apprentices and their hard work and commitment to training.”

166 views