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Apprentice 100: Five-star response to P&J campaign

We set out to help create 100 apprenticeships but have now reached 150
We set out to help create 100 apprenticeships but have now reached 150

A north-east local authority has delivered a five-star response to the Press and Journal’s Apprentice 100 campaign.

Aberdeenshire Council will provide a quintet of traineeships as part of our quest to create 100 new apprenticeships in 100 days.

The council stepped up to the plate after celebrity chef Nick Nairn got the campaign off to a sizzling start by pledging to give a rising star the chance to shine at his cookery school in Aberdeen and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hailed the “huge benefits” Apprentice 100 will deliver to young people across the north and north-east.

Aberdeenshire Council said apprentices have proved invaluable to the organisation – and urged other employers to follow its lead by pledging to take on local talent.

The local authority currently offers more than a dozen types of apprenticeships ranging from one to four years and covering a range of disciplines, and is also in the process of developing additional courses.

Over the 100 days of the campaign, the council plans to advertise for one craft apprenticeship, which covers roles such as joinery, masonry and plumbing, and four modern apprenticeships, which include homecare, clerical and ICT.

Council employee Mason Fawcett said the apprenticeship scheme set him on the path to a dream career.

Mr Fawcett, who left school aged 17 to embark on his apprenticeship, said working as an ICT support analyst was “absolutely fantastic”.

Mr Fawcett, who moved from England to the north-east of Scotland nearly a decade ago, finished his apprenticeship in ICT customer support four months ago and walked straight into a full-time job.

He said: “During fifth year at school I started looking for apprenticeships.

“We had all sorts of careers advisers and people who visited the school to speak about apprenticeships in oil and gas and whatnot, but I never saw any in computing at that time.

“It wasn’t until later that I actually came across the ICT support apprenticeship on the council’s website. Working with computers was something I’d always wanted to do.”

Mr Fawcett, 19, added: “I’ve learned things that I would never have had access to or been aware of without the apprenticeship.”

Nina Melvin, 22, has been with the council for nearly two years, and completed a clerical assistance apprenticeship before moving on to become a recruitment assistant.

Swansea-born Ms Melvin said the apprenticeship was the perfect introduction to her current role.

“I got all of my office skills through the apprenticeship, as well as training to deal communicate with customers,” she said.

Ms Melvin, who worked in childcare for a year after leaving school, added: “It gave me a great overview of the job.

“There are a lot of opportunities in the council. I like being able to progress and follow my own path, so it’s been a good experience.”

The council’s director of infrastructure services, Stephen Archer, said: “Our young people represent the workforce of tomorrow. They have an energy, outlook and drive and we as an important employer in the region should do our bit to unlock and support that talent.

“Apprenticeships are one way for Aberdeenshire Council to do this and I fully endorse others to follow our approach.”

Mr Archer added: “I fully support the Apprentice 100 campaign.”

Jonathan Townsend, team leader of the local authority’s ICT customer support department, said: “Modern Apprenticeships have proved vital for the Aberdeenshire Council ICT team. They have brought a youthful, bright and ‘can do’ attitude to our work environment and customers.”

Doreen Cameron, head of the council’s payroll team, said: “We have found the apprenticeship scheme invaluable as it has provided entry level opportunities in payroll for young people with either no previous or limited work experience.

“The apprenticeship provides both training and employment and brings the benefit to our team of being able to grow our own talent, ensuring they have the relevant skills and opportunities to progress.

“All of our apprentices have gone on to either permanent roles within the teams or new roles outwith because of the experience and skills they have developed during their apprenticeship.”

The council’s tremendous show of support means we have 94 pledges still to collect – so please get behind the campaign now.

The jobs will be advertised at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/job and www.myjobscotland.gov.uk.