Published on:
21
May 2015
Some of Clackmannanshire's Modern Apprentices were honoured today when they were presented with certificates by Councillor Donald Balsillie.
The presentation took place in the Council Chambers at Kilncraigs, Alloa, at the conclusion of the Enterprise and Environment Committee.
Enterprise and Environment Convener Councillor Balsillie said: "I was delighted to present certificates to Modern Apprentices who have been supported by the Council and have recently completed their Modern Apprenticeship training.
"This is Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Week, a fitting time to be celebrating the success of our Modern Apprentices.
"For many years, the Council has been both a training provider for and an employer of Modern Apprentices. As a training provider, we currently deliver Modern Apprenticeships in a range of sectors including Business Administration, Childcare, Construction and Sport for the Council and other local businesses."
The Council currently employs 27 Modern Apprentices and recruits young people as Modern Apprentices on an on-going basis. As the biggest employer in Clackmannanshire, the Council has made a commitment to increase the number of Modern Apprentices it recruits across Council services.
Councillor Balsillie added: "We are keen to encourage other employers to also offer more Modern Apprenticeship places for our young people. Modern Apprenticeships are an excellent way of developing the skills of young people to become our future workforce."
Skills Development Scotland's research, published in May 2014, shows that apprentices in training are extremely positive about their work and future prospects. In the survey, 97% of respondents recommended doing a Modern Apprenticeship. Employers are continuing to embrace the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme. More than 11,000 employers in Scotland are already taking advantage of the opportunities offered by an MA.
In the survey, three-quarters of MAs rated the level of encouragement from their employers as good or very good. Under the MA programme, a proportion of employers' training costs are met and a training provider provides support if required.
There are more than 80 different occupational frameworks available - from wind turbine technician to business administration and journalism. The survey also found that MAs tended to stick with their employer once they completed their apprenticeship. In all, three-quarters of all MAs expected to remain with their current employer in the longer term.
The apprentices who received certificates were: Darby Banks, Amie Garrow, Andrew Gibson, Danielle Hill, Melissa Baird, Chelsea Gavin, Rosemary Lee Martin, Chloe McKenzie, Hannah Peterson, Ryan Butterworth, Craig Marshall and Sean Mullen