A north-east engineering firm has given the Press and Journal’s Apprentice 100 campaign a huge shot in the arm.
Peterhead-based Score Europe has pledged to recruit five stars of the future as part of our crusade to give young people in the north and north-east the chance to shine.
The traineeships being offered by the firm mean that in little over a week we have made huge strides towards our goal of creating 100 apprenticeships in 100 days.
Score Europe’s mammoth commitment takes the running total to 16 – but we are still on the hunt for another 84 pledges over the coming weeks.
Score Europe has built up its valve management business around its apprenticeship scheme, which was launched in 1988.
A subsidiary of international engineering firm Score Group, the firm currently has 285 apprentices on its books, a quarter of whom are female, and is aiming to have a 50-50 gender split among its trainees.
Managing director, Conrad Ritchie, was actually the first youngster to join the company’s apprenticeship programme.
He said: “I’m all for the campaign. For years we’ve been trying to encourage other companies to take on apprentices, and some have, but there are those who see it as a quick fix.
“An apprenticeship needs to last four or more years to enable the person to become competent.
“We see a lot of apprenticeships now that are only six to 12 months, and it’s not enough. It’s as if they’re ticking a box.
“For this to work, everybody has to be willing to spend time and mentor the youngsters. That’s what this is all about. It’s not something that happens overnight.”
Simon Turner, a former apprentice with 20 years at Score Europe under his belt, said the programme was pivotal in propelling him to his current position – valve automation manager.
Mr Turner also said he relished the opportunity to take part in the development of young people.
He said: “The people we need don’t exist on the street.
“You have to grow them yourself. I have a team of 23 or 24 guys and half are apprentices. We interact on a daily basis and it’s rewarding to see them coming through. Some have become first hand craftsmen.”
Barrie Strachan, a deputy works manager who joined Score in 1993 aged 15, said he still used the skills he learned at the start of his apprenticeship on a daily basis.
The five additional apprenticeships which will be offered by Score Europe are in mechanical engineering, technical sales, electrical, warehousing and administration.
Become a Score Europe apprentice:
score-group.com/careers/
.