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This is Scottish Apprenticeship Week, when we celebrate the benefits such training brings to businesses, individuals and the economy.

Old-fashioned ideas about apprenticeships no longer apply and there’s no limit to where an apprenticeship can take you. Scottish apprenticeships are for everyone, and for every business, no matter its size or sector.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce play a role in shaping apprenticeships by representing the voice of business on the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board.

Scotland faces a growing demographic challenge, with its working-age population projected to stall by 2043. One area Scotland has grown considerably in recent years, to help tackle the demographic and skills challenges, is in apprenticeships. Scottish Chambers of Commerce network members increasingly recognise the vital role apprenticeships play in developing the future workforce needed to enhance business performance.

In uncertain times, there are clear benefits to take advantage of the foundation, modern and graduate apprenticeships framework.

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) West Highland, hosted by Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, forms part of the Scottish Government youth employment strategy to prepare young people for work.

It has created an inspirational and educational series of video case studies showcasing apprenticeship programmes in a diverse range of industry sectors across Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross.

These 10 short films capture win-win examples of apprenticeship programmes in a mixture of private and public sector organisations from the perspective of both the businesses and their apprentices. The videos feature apprentices at Alvance British Aluminium, Forestry and Land Scotland, CalMac, The Highland Council and West Highland College UHI. Watch on the DYW West Highland YouTube channel to see how apprenticeships work. Find out how your business could benefit from apprenticeships by contacting DYW West Highland on 01397 705765 or see www.dywwesthighland.org