You’re hired: apprentice scheme is great success
Local company Witherby Publishing Group, which publishes regulatory, technical and operational marine publications, launched its first IT apprenticeship.
After the first two years with Witherbys, the apprentice will be qualified to SQA SCQF 6 or 8 level, which is equivalent to an Advanced Higher/HNC or second year of degree study.
The recruitment process began with an assessment day at Witherbys’ office in Livingston.
Five eager candidates took part in group exercises for problem solving and team building, with the day ending with a one-to-one interview.
Witherbys’ chief operating officer Kat Heathcote said: “We wanted to recruit for this position from within the local community.
“After talking things through with Alan Stirling, our IT manager, we felt that we were able to offer a real and, sadly, unusual opportunity to learn and gain qualifications while working and earning a living wage.
“Having worked with local schools in the past, we wanted to offer a young person the opportunity so, with a bit of inventiveness, we came up with what we believe was quite a fun day for the candidates involved, with the serious purpose that helped them to understand what working with a company like ours would be like.
“Witherbys has won awards as one of the best places to work in the UK and we wanted the candidates to see that and aspire to be part of it.
“Nathan rose to the challenge beautifully but I have to say that we were happily surprised by the high
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