Twenty engineering students at North Highland College will get the chance to get hands on work experience as part of a new course based in Thurso.
The course has been developed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the University of the Highlands and Island’s North Highland College and the nuclear decommissioning firm, Dounreay Site Restoration (DSRL).
The move follows a recommendation by the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, led by Sir Ian Wood, to increase the number of higher level apprenticeship opportunities and to ensure those undertaking high level qualifications receive enhanced levels of work experience.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“The Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce rightly stressed that our focus should be on growing opportunities in STEM areas and this is an exciting piece of work that will see new combinations of work-based study delivering for both employers and young people.
“The course will allow for students to develop skills that employers need while still being able to complete a degree and progress in a career in a key growth sector. Local firms will also be able to tap into an enthusiastic group of young women and men that are keen to develop their work based skills and show their potential to employers as up to 20 students take part over the next two years.”
Director of Service, Design and Innovation at SDS, Jonathan Clark, said:
“This ground breaking pilot will provide a combined model of learning by offering experience in the workplace at the same time as participating in higher education. By bringing employers closer to education we can help challenge the division between vocational and academic career paths.”