Celebrate Scottish Apprentice Week
Recruitment March 6 to 10 will see Scotland celebrate Scottish Apprentice Week 2017.
And it will see events and workshops taking place in workplaces and schools encouraging youngsters to sign up for apprenticeships.
Last year, hundreds of businesses across the country took part in Scottish Apprenticeship Week with employers, apprentices, training providers, colleges, councils, schools and other partners all played their part.
Between them, they organised more than 200 events encouraging more employers to take on apprentices, and inspiring countless young people to think about apprenticeships for their future.
And here are some of the special events employers can think about hosting during the week. Invite employers along to your business to find out more about apprenticeships and start discussions about how they could benefit your industry or local area.
How? Host a business breakfast, with a talk from your own Modern Apprentices. Or how about a speed networking event or a question and answer session about apprenticeships?
Why? As a business, this type of event lets you share best practice as well as forging connections with other local firms. In the past, employers have used similar events to discuss how apprenticeships can help address issues like skills shortages in their industry.
What? Give young people a taste of the kind of skills they could learn through an apprenticeship - and an idea of what work-based learning could be like.
How? Open up your business for a morning and let your guests try simple practical tasks. Or, take some of your equipment out to their school or a local community hall or centre and let them try it out. Bring along your own apprentices to answer any questions about apprenticeships.
Why? These kinds of events can bring apprenticeships to life for young people - encouraging them to think of the work-based learning route when deciding what path their career will take. Companies who’ve hosted similar events have been able to spot potential recruits.
You could tailor an event to specific groups that are underrepresented in your industry. In 2016, City Building in Glasgow opened its doors to female pupils, people from Minority Ethnic communities and care leavers during a special event during Scottish Apprenticeship Week. A huge 90 per cent of attendees applied for an apprenticeship afterwards.
What? Arrange a competition or event for your own apprentices.
How? In previous years, different companies have run competitions where apprentices have shared tagged photos or videos of themselves.