Apprentice backing team take home college award

North Lanarkshire Council’s apprenticeship support team has been recognised with a top award

The excellent backing to apprenticeships was recognised as the council scooped the title of “Business Studies Apprentice Employer of the Year Award” at a recent ceremony hosted by New College Lanarkshire (NCL).

The NCL Apprenticeship Awards ceremony honours the individuals and businesses making apprenticeships work across Lanarkshire.

These awards formed part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2022, with eight Modern Apprentices and eight local employers receiving trophies in recognition of excelling in the course of their training, or support for apprenticeship programmes.

Picking up the award on behalf of the team was early careers supervisor Carmen Girvan.

Carmen told the Advertiser: “It was great to be part of the NCL awards event and even better picking up an award for our work supporting apprenticeships within the council on their journey into work.

“As an early careers supervisor, it’s our job to recruit and manage the apprenticeship programme and develop diverse pathways to further education and employment in line with our ongoing ‘workforce for the future’ strategy.

“The award recognises our commitment and drive to supporting and helping people across our local communities.

“And without our partners, NCL and the apprentices involved, we wouldn’t achieve this success. A huge well done

to everyone.” NLC’S early careers team is responsible for the recruitment and management of the apprenticeship programme and provides support not only to each apprentice, but also to managers and mentors to ensure apprentices have a meaningful experience. The

team currently has 55 apprentices for 2021-2022 and is now gearing up for its summer recruitment.

Before a varied professional career, North Lanarkshire Council chief executive Des Murray started working life with local government on a Youth

Training Scheme He added: “Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make.

“In my experience, choosing an apprenticeship can transform your life.

“They provide opportunity, training and experience, and reward effort. They enable choice

and create prospects that can last a lifetime.

“If you see such an opportunity, take it, shape it and make it your own.”

NCL currently supports around 200 businesses in and around Lanarkshire with the training of almost 450 apprentices.

Excellent employers Carmen Girvan (centre), early careers supervisor, picked up the award on behalf of the team at the ceremony