Apprentice hits the small screen
MiastarsinTVadafterstintwithCoca-Cola
NICOLA FINDLAY
An East Kilbride teenager’s apprenticeship has seen her working with one of the world’s biggest brands and featuring in a TV advert.
Mia Pasquale heard about Foundation Apprenticeships from her guidance teacher at St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School.
Mia, from Jackton, liked the idea of doing something practical and chose an engineering Foundation Apprenticeship as one of her fifth-year subjects.
She said: “I’ve always like working with my hands; working on car engines and things like that.
“I always knew that this would be the route I would go down.
“I got the opportunity to do the work experience part of my Foundation Apprenticeship at Coca-Cola.
“It has been amazing, and every day is different. Everyone is happy to help, and I’ve learned a lot. It’s also meant that I’ve been getting experience.”
Mia’s achievements are being celebrated along with other apprentices’ as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which is co-ordinated by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and takes place from March 2 to 6.
The theme is Talent without Limits, celebrating the diversity that makes Scottish Apprenticeships good for individuals, employers and the economy.
Mia has now applied for an engineering Modern Apprenticeship at Coca-Cola’s College Milton factory.
She added: “I would say to anyone to think about doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in the area that they are interested in.
“You can’t go wrong. If you are willing to work hard, put in the time and effort, a Foundation Apprenticeship is a great way to start your career.”
Mia, who enjoys rock climbing and mountain biking in her spare time, is also part of Skills Development Scotland’s latest campaign to encourage young people and parents to consider Foundation Apprenticeship.
She and other young apprentices appear in television and online adverts.
Coca-Cola’s Professional Reliability Engineer Brian Smith is a former apprentice and he and his colleagues are all very happy to mentor and support people coming into their workplace.
He said: “It is great to have apprentices like Mia, who is always asking questions, in the business. We have three apprentices on site with us here.
“Apprentices bring enthusiasm, a different perspective and fresh eyes to what we do.
“I would say to any employer who might be considering taking on an apprentice to do it. They are keen and interested and bring a different approach.”
SDS Chief Executive Damien Yeates 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.
“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.”