Tomorrow is the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week (6-10 March), an opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution our apprentices make to the workforce at East Dunbartonshire Council.
Since it was launched in 2013, almost 150 local young people have started their careers through the Council’s award-winning Modern Apprenticeship Programme, with some recruits receiving national awards for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments in their chosen vocations.
Many Council Apprentices go on to secure jobs with the Council and are valuable members of the team, learning the ropes and gaining experience along the way.
Hannah Mills, from Torrance embarked on an Early Years Modern Apprenticeship with the Council in 2017.
She said, “I applied for an Early Years Modern Apprenticeship with the Council as one of my friends suggested I’d enjoy working with children and she was right – I absolutely love it. I really enjoy being outdoors with the children; exploring, bug hunting and teaching them how to light fires safely. I am always learning alongside the children which is the best part of the job.
“Following on from my apprenticeship, I gained a full-time permanent position at an Early Years Centre in Milngavie and I’ve never looked back. Anyone leaving school who is interested in working with young children should really consider applying for an Early Years apprenticeship with East Dunbartonshire Council. You work towards your qualifications whilst gaining hands-on experience and it could lead you to a position in your dream job, like it did for me.”
Last year the Council recruited sixteen new apprentices in a number of different service areas; from Roads and Civils to Accountancy and Building Standards.
Katie, from Torrance, joined the Council in August as a Digital Communications Modern Apprentice. As part of her apprenticeship she is undertaking her SVQ in Digital Marketing.
She said, “The Digital Communications apprenticeship appealed to me as it allowed me to both work and learn. With all the changes in digital communications there are lots of opportunities to gain more qualifications and experiences.
“Having applied last year, I was really pleased to find out that I had got an apprenticeship with the Council and since I’ve started in my role everyone at the Council has been very welcoming and helpful. I have learnt so much from my team already.
“I would recommend an apprenticeship with East Dunbartonshire Council to any school leavers interested in working and learning on the job. It was definitely the right move for me.”
Council Leader, Gordan Low, said,
The Council is committed to guiding school leavers towards positive destinations, be that into paid employment, further education or through a combination of both. By providing modern apprenticeship opportunities for our young people, we are playing an active role in supporting this.
“However, apprenticeships do not only benefit young people in our communities, they strengthen existing workforces, bringing enthusiasm, hard work and new talent to an employer. The calibre of Council apprentices over the last ten years has been so high that following completion of their apprenticeships many young people have gone onto secure permanent full-time positions with us. Some have even gone on to gain promotions into leadership roles.
“The Council’s early careers programme has brought about significant benefits to both local young people and our own organisation. I would encourage employers in our communities to consider providing apprenticeship opportunities to boost their workforces and school leavers to consider apprenticeships as a viable first step towards a rewarding career.”
Local employers interested in finding out more about starting a Modern Apprenticeship Programme in the future can visit Apprenticeships.scot for information, professional advice and support.
“However, apprenticeships do not only benefit young people in our communities, they strengthen existing workforces, bringing enthusiasm, hard work and new talent to an employer. The calibre of Council apprentices over the last ten years has been so high that following completion of their apprenticeships many young people have gone onto secure permanent full-time positions with us. Some have even gone on to gain promotions into leadership roles.
“The Council’s early careers programme has brought about significant benefits to both local young people and our own organisation. I would encourage employers in our communities to consider providing apprenticeship opportunities to boost their workforces and school leavers to consider apprenticeships as a viable first step towards a rewarding career.”
Local employers interested in finding out more about starting a Modern Apprenticeship Programme in the future can visit Apprenticeships.scot for information, professional advice and support.
