MSP is sweet on Lees

Coatbridge’s MSP hailed the importance of apprenticeships as he visited the town’s confectionery giants Lees of Scotland.

The firm fully embraced last week’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week and run hugely successful modern apprenticeships with SVQ training.

A number of employees are engaged with the scheme and Fulton Macgregor was keen to hear more about it when he popped in to the factory.

The MSP told the Advertiser: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way of progressing the career prospects of people all across Scotland.

“College or university isn’t right for everyone and with an apprenticeship, essential skills and practical abilities can be learned.

“This is especially important for addressing gaps in our labour market and we are seeing many young people having their talents honed through this method.

“It was fantastic to visit Lees of Scotland’s factory in my constituency and see how they are supporting apprentices.

“It feels like a great working environment and is such an iconic business within the constituency, so it is heartening to witness what a great job they are doing with training apprentices.”

Lees of Scotland’s skills development Scotland chairman and Scottish apprenticeship advisory board co-chair, Frank Mitchell, added: “When it comes to supporting sustainable skills through workforce development or providing opportunities for young people, we know that apprenticeships work.

“The combination of commitment from employers and the backing of Scottish Government will ensure apprenticeships work for everyone, making a significant contribution to Scotland’s recovery and productivity growth.”

Clive Miquel, CEO at Lees of Scotland, said: “We are fully committed to investing in the future of young people.

“We have many team members who started with us young and have worked their way across various roles within the business.

“We were delighted to welcome Fulton Macgregor MSP to the factory and show him how our apprenticeship programme works for individuals.

“Lees of Scotland will continue to focus on apprenticeships with workbased learning opportunities and jobs to progress their career.”

It feels like a great working environment and is such an iconic business within the constituency Fulton Macgregor MSP

More if you please Mr Macgregor (centre) with (l-r) SVQ candidates Elizabeth Mcgordrick and Sharon Byers, Lees of Scotland HR admin and SVQ programme manager Louise Dunion, Skill Development Scotland director Eileen Russell, training advisor Pat Finnigan and SVQ candidate Vikki Mcginley

Sweet success The MSP touring the Lees of Scotland factory with SVQ candidates