Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year Winner set to craft a bright future
Scottish Apprenticeship Awards celebrate rising stars
A CRAFT butcher who credits his apprenticeship with changing his life has been named Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year.
The awards were held yesterday (8 March) at the P&J Live in Aberdeen with a focus on sustainability. They celebrated outstanding apprentices, their employers, ambassadors and instructors from across Scotland.
Marc Ingram, the apprentice craft butcher, was named Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year.
Marc worried about his career options when he left Falkirk High at 15 with few qualifications because of his dyslexia and ADHD. The teenager applied for a Modern Apprenticeship in Skills for Craft Businesses (Butchery) with support from his school and SDS careers adviser.
He said: “I want other young people to know there are still great career pathways such as apprenticeships, even if school wasn’t for them.”
It wasn’t just the apprentices themselves who picked up trophies. The businesses that support them were championed too. Highlands eco success story RI Cruden was named SME Employer of the Year by developing its talent based in emerging green tech through apprenticeships.
Specialist engineers Score Group were named Large Employer of the Year, after working in schools around its business in Peterhead to set up maths clubs to help potential apprentices build numeracy skills. The awards are co-ordinated by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Chair of SDS, Frank Mitchell said: "Scottish Apprenticeships generate vital skills aligned to economic need, while supporting employers to develop new talent.
“The awards highlight the impact of apprentices across sectors, spotlighting the inspiring organisations and individuals who champion work-based learning.”
SDS administers Modern Apprenticeship funding on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey said: "Apprenticeships are vital for supporting young people into valuable rewarding careers and helping people upskill, reskill and progress in their chosen careers.
“These awards are an important opportunity to recognise the impact of apprentices, their employers and supporters across Scotland.”