Recognising the truly outstanding efforts of the country’s apprentices during the pandemic, nominations are now being accepted for next year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
TALENTED apprentices along with their employers and learning providers are set to be at the heart of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
Organised by Skills Development Scotland, the awards will celebrate the achievements and continued resilience of Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices, employers and learning providers across the country.
This year, the awards will showcase apprentices and employers working hard to support Scotland’s climate change ambitions and target of net zero emissions by 2045 with the introduction of two new categories – Supporting Net Zero Apprentice Employer of the Year and Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year.
The event will culminate with the announcement of Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year. Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell said: “Since the pandemic changed all our lives, we have seen extraordinary commitment from apprentices working to support their employers and Scotland’s economic recovery.
“Throughout the pandemic employers have recognised the benefits of investing in apprenticeships to adapt and sustain their business. Learning providers have worked hard and innovated to continue to support apprentices in training.
“The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards is the platform to acknowledge the resilience and hard work of apprentices and shine a spotlight on all those who champion apprenticeships. New categories credit the contribution apprentices, and their employers can make to support the country’s commitment to tackling climate change.”
Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, Jamie Hepburn said: “As Scotland moves towards economic renewal and transition, it’s never been more important to celebrate the efforts of apprentices, their employers and supporters.
“Apprenticeships and work-based learning directly support the Young Person’s Guarantee, providing thousands of opportunities every year to help build the skills Scotland needs to support economic recovery.
“These awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the voices of apprentices and their employers from across the length and breadth of the country.”
The deadline for the awards nominations is noon on Wednesday, 27 October 2021 and winners will be revealed during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 7-11 March 2022.
Visit www.apprenticeships.scot to find out more about the new categories, use the new nominations platform and to submit nominations.
Apprentice Fraser is a high achiever
FORMER Apprentice of the Year Fraser Wallace has successfully progressed from a Foundation to a Modern Apprenticeship with GE Aviation, which he’s due to complete in March.
As a result of Fraser’s experience, qualifications and the skills he’s learned through his apprenticeships the Prestwick based company has been able to fill a skills gap by recently promoting the 20 year old into the role of Electrical Calibration Technician.
Fraser has been trained up to have sole responsibility of ensuring all the electrical calibrated tools and equipment at GE are maintained. This is the first time an apprentice at the business has started a new post before completing their apprenticeship.
Fraser says: “This new role is a good opportunity to do something completely different. It gives me lots of responsibility and independence so will be a steep learning curve but I like being in at the deep end as it will force me to build on my skills like time and work management.”
Taking a Foundation Apprenticeship also gave Fraser the chance to create a network that has opened more doors. He said: “An apprenticeship isn’t just a job, it gives you a career opportunity and it’s what you do with it that counts.”
APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS WIN WAS THE BUSINESS, SAYS SCOTMAS MD
SCOTMAS were crowned SME Employer of the Year at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, delivered by Skills Development Scotland, and Managing Director Alistair Cameron says the accolade has been the highlight of their year so far.
The Kelso-based firm received the award in March after they impressed judges with their agility shown during the pandemic – the organisation pivoted the business towards producing disinfectant for the NHS with the help of apprentices.
Alistair says he was thrilled that Scotmas earned the recognition and would strongly recommend other businesses to put their names forward to be in the running for the award in 2022. He added: “After a year full of unexpected challenges, it was fantastic to have the efforts of our people recognised by winning the award. Since that time, our team have continued on their development journey, and we are seeing real dividends on the time we have invested.
“At a time when recruitment and retention of staff is becoming an issue for businesses across the country, there has never been a better time to take a longer-term view of staff development, get involved with apprentices, and put yourselves forward for this award.”
Alistair added he is proud of the fact Scotmas’ apprenticeship programme offered top-class employment opportunities to Borders youngsters.
This article is brought to you in association with Skills Development Scotland.
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