Talented young people from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have gained national recognition for their outstanding contribution whilst on an apprenticeship.
The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in association with SP Energy Networks, celebrates apprentices, employers and learning providers from across the country and a wide range of sectors.
Amongst the finalists in the Foundation Apprentice of the Year category sponsored by MCR Pathways is inspirational teen Hannah Magill, who helped Fishermoss Primary School pupils find their voice during her apprenticeship, teaching them the sign language for Silent Night and ensuring all pupils could perform in the school nativity.
Hannah Magill
She played a key role managing a Primary 1/2 class at the Aberdeenshire school, providing tailored support to four children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and building a strong relationship with a non-verbal child who was eventually able to say her name.
Hannah chose her Foundation Apprenticeship as a school subject in senior phase and the experience has helped her secure a place on the Primary Teaching course at the University of Dundee.
Hannah, 18, of Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, said: “The Foundation Apprenticeship really boosted my confidence and communication skills.
“My research skills improved during the apprenticeship, and I gained lots of knowledge about how children develop, process information and how their brains work, which definitely helped with my university application.”
Finalist in the Modern Apprenticeship Level 5 category, sponsored by CBI, Oliver Welch plays a key role in developing menus and producing thousands of meals a week for high profile events, workplace dining areas, nurseries and schools.
Oliver Welch
The 20-year-old from Aberdeen overcame the challenges of dyslexia to thrive in the kitchen and represent catering firm Entier Services at a string of culinary competitions.
The Scottish Young Chef of the Year 2025 and former Old Meldrum Academy pupil said: “Choosing a Modern Apprenticeship was the best route into a career that I’m passionate about and the hands-on style of learning suits me better.
“I struggled in school because of my dyslexia so the hands-on style of learning with an apprenticeship suits me better.
“It can be hard when you first arrive in a busy kitchen, so seeing other people gain skills and confidence from the help I can give them feels rewarding.”
Oliver completed his Modern Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery (SCQF Level 5) and has since progressed on to an apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6.
Eighteen-year-old, Chase Zanoni of Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire, is working, learning and earning, smashing targets, boosting profits and exceeding customer expectations.
Chase Zanoni
Chase, who is a finalist in the Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQ Level 6+ category, sponsored by Scottish Chambers of Commerce, shone on his Modern Apprenticeship with Hays Travel, becoming a regular top seller and gaining a 5 out of 5 score on Trustpilot.
Between May and August 2025 Chase beat his sales targets by at least 140% up to 181%, an extraordinary achievement which shows how quickly he has progressed.
He said: “I have learned so many different skills as a Modern Apprentice, including communication, problem solving, literacy and numeracy skills and IT.
“Doing the Modern Apprenticeship has opened my eyes to all the different opportunities within travel and I’d love to work my way up into management.”
Finalist in the Graduate Apprentice of the Year category, sponsored by the Scottish Funding Council, Fraser Bruce led on the delivery of over £2.2million of commercial diving and defence products over the last four years, after instigating the introduction of Graduate Apprenticeships at his company, JFD Ltd.
Fraser Bruce
And he was listed as an inventor on a patent filing, after developing a prototype demonstrator to automatically calculate the escape time in a distressed submarine.
Fraser, of Inverbervie, Aberdeenshire, said: “The Graduate Apprenticeship enabled me to align my goals so that I could apply what I was learning at university in real time, at work.”
Graduate Apprenticeships are a way to get qualified up to Master’s degree level while in paid employment. Designed by education and employers, Graduate Apprenticeships support key sectors that need highly skilled workforces.
Award categories recognise the achievements of Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices, as well as the organisations who champion and support apprenticeships.
The awards, organised by Skills Development Scotland, will be held at a ceremony taking place in Glasgow on 26 February, when category winners will be announced before the overall winner is named Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year.
Minister for Higher and Further Education, Ben Macpherson said: “Scottish Apprenticeships are excellent opportunities for young people, offering sustainable and rewarding employment.
“Congratulations to all Scottish Apprenticeship Awards finalists – career journeys that are fantastic examples of the positive impact apprenticeships have on people, business and society.”
The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards will help to launch Scottish Apprenticeship Week from 2 to 6 March. For more information about the awards and apprenticeships, visit apprenticeships.scot.