New attitude sees record take-up of apprenticeships

As Scottish Apprenticeship Week begins, Caroline Lindsay discovers that the campaign is mutually beneficial to both businesses and apprentices alike

Record numbers of young people taking up apprenticeships in Scotland have benefited from a “changing attitude”, according to a financial adviser.

Data from Skills Development Scotland reveals the number of Modern Apprenticeship starts in 2016-17 hit a record 26,262 – beating the 26,000 national target.

Financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has said the study reveals a more positive perception of the traineeships.

Andrew Howie, managing partner in Scotland, said: “This changing attitude represents an evolution in the expectations of young people and parents when it comes to learning beyond school.

“Add in rising living costs and it becomes clear why those looking at higher education options are increasingly seeing apprenticeships and other earn as you learn routes, as a positive route in to a successful career.

“In our blueprint for the UK, Shaping a Vibrant Economy, we suggested that there is a need to incentivise collaboration between employers and education providers.”

The report found 70% of young people and 79% of parents think that apprenticeships offer good career prospects.

Last year hundreds of businesses across the country took part in Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Employers, apprentices, training providers, colleges, councils, schools and other partners all played their part. This year is to be even bigger – with the theme Apprentices are the Businesses, the campaign is aimed at encouraging more employers to take on apprentices.

Organised by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), feedback from last year shows that the majority of apprentices said they are more confident, more enthusiastic about learning and have better long-term career prospects.

Apprentice Tiegan Duff is enjoying the first stages of an exciting career in engineering, after securing a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) with Babcock.

The 18-year-old from Lochore applied for the job with the engineering firm after undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship while still at school.

Foundation Apprenticeships are for pupils who can choose them alongside their other subjects, such as Highers.

They mean pupils can get out of the classroom and into college and the workplace with local employers.

The former Lochgelly High School pupil said: “The Foundation Apprenticeship gave me an insight into a career in engineering, as well as the relevant skills and knowledge towards gaining a Modern Apprenticeship.

“By doing the Foundation Apprenticeship first, I had already gained skills and knowledge which I could transfer over to the MA, so I found the transition easier.”

Since starting her Modern Apprenticeship with Babcock last August, mechanical engineering apprentice Tiegan has been attending Fife College and spending time with her employer.

From June, she will be based at Babcock’s 300-acre site in Rosyth, where she will be working on HMS Prince of Wales, the second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier being built for the Royal Navy, as well as smaller vessels and in the machine shop.

She said: “I am really enjoying college, especially the practical side of things.”

“But I’m also looking forward to being out on-site – I can’t wait. It will be a good change and a great opportunity to learn from engineers who are already working for Babcock.”

Tiegan’s Modern Apprenticeship will take her between three and four years to complete. At the end, she’ll be fully qualified to pursue a career as an engineer – and she’s keen to progress with Babcock.

It’s not just technical skills which she is gaining through her apprenticeship. She’s growing in confidence, developing her people skills, and she’s enjoying the regular wage too.

Julie Mccluskey, early careers advisor at Babcock’s Rosyth site, said: “We were really excited to welcome our new apprentices to the team in August last year.

“They brought a range of good experience with them, having all completed a National Certificate in their chosen trade. Some of the group already had previous experience in the industry too. It’s really important that we ensure our apprentices gain essential skills, knowledge and experience for the future.”

Meanwhile Rachel Connell, an office administrator at marketing agency Volpa, has her apprenticeship to thank for leading to a job she loves.

“I had just dropped out of school and was feeling deflated about my career path,” Rachel, from Luncarty, recalled.

“One thing I did learn was that classrooms and textbooks were not for me.

“I joined an apprenticeship scheme at Volpa as I felt learning while gaining experience of a real job would be most benefitable to me,” she continues.

“I realised it is the perfect combination for me: gaining a qualification; being in a working environment and earning as I go.”

During the apprenticeship Rachel learned a lot about how a business works.

“Being in admin helped me understand the operations of a business and how it all came together,” she explained.

“Also, just being in the office environment with creatives made me learn a lot about what our aim as a business was, which is to give clients the best possible service.

“I have expanded on my people skills and knowledge of marketing and every day in Volpa is different – I enjoy having a new challenge every day and have gained confidence, focus and self-belief.”

www.apprenticeships.scot

Tiegan Duff is enjoying the first stages of an exciting career in engineering.