So sad to learn of Matthew’s passing
Sometimes things happen that just shock you to the core.
When I read about the death of Matthew Craig at the age of 22 I was genuinely stunned.
Matthew went to the same primary and high schools as my two daughters and was in my eldest daughter’s year.
A group of us parents organised a school mini-bus to get them to primary school.
Matthew excelled at everything. My wife and I used to joke at school awards nights that they should be renamed the Matthew Craig awards night. He was that talented – and goodlooking too.
Sport was his great love, though, and he left school early to follow his dream of being a footballer. I was delighted when he made the Scotland squad for his age group.
He could have gone on to be a real star in the game.
His parents must have been so proud of him and all that he achieved in an all-too-short life.
They will be devastated that cancer has robbed them of all that was to come.
I feel for them and, as I write, am planning to attend his funeral to say my own quiet farewell.
Amongst the sadness of the last week there was an uplifting story recently in the East Kilbride News about Lindsayfield’s Michael Reid and his offer to work for free to secure an apprenticeship.
The youngster’s plea to get a foot on the career ladder paid off when local firm MacLaren Electrical Services came forward to offer Michael the chance to train as a paid commercial electrician apprentice.
Company director Steven MacLaren said the 18-year-old was “a young guy with the right attitude.” I couldn’t agree more.
Work-based learning and apprenticeships are vital for Scotland’s future prosperity and it’s thanks to people like Steven who recognise the value of investing in the next generation of workers.
He is not the only one holding that view. Next month I will again take part in Scottish Apprenticeship Week (which runs from March 5 to March 9).
The campaign theme this year is ‘Apprenticeships are the Business’ – a sentiment that I wholeheartedly agree with. Workers are the biggest asset a company will ever have.
The week-long event organised by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is a fantastic way to promote the value of the apprenticeship to industry.
As shadow housing and communities minister, I’ve been fortunate to visit many companies across Scotland and listened to their concerns of a skills shortage in the construction industry.
We need to make sure that these concerns are acted upon and investment is put into training and apprenticeship programmes designed specifically for the changing demands new technology places on industry.
That’s where forward-thinking bosses like Steven come in. They recognise that the most precious asset a company has is its staff.
It is wonderful to see somebody willing to invest time and money to make sure more people like Michael achieve their ideal apprenticeship and become the next generation of skilled workers.