Littlehouse Media

Videos highlight the benefits of apprenticeships in the West Highlands

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) West Highland, forms part of the Scottish Government youth employment strategy to better prepare young people for the world of work. They are regionally hosted by Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and as part of their promotion have released their final series of inspirational and educational video case studies showcasing apprenticeship programmes in a diverse range of industry sectors across Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross.  The five short films, easily accessible online through the DYW West Highland YouTube Channel, capture win-win examples of apprenticeship programmes in a mixture of private and public sector organisations from the perspective of both the businesses and their apprentices.

 

The informative five minute videos, featuring Liberty Aluminium, Forestry & Land Scotland, CalMac, The Highland Council and West Highland College UHI, provide versatility for a younger audience still in school and further education, inspiring them and encouraging them to consider the ‘earn whilst you learn’ route as a fantastic and meaningful ‘Plan A’ career path.  They also act as an effective promotional tool for the businesses who have taken part and an incentive for other businesses to get involved.

 

Ged Kilcoin, Recruitment & Talent Specialist, Liberty British Aluminium said: “We continue to recruit Apprentices to invest in the careers and development of our young workers at Liberty. Many of our leaders in today’s business, started their career on an Apprenticeship scheme and have worked their way through the organisation. They, therefore, appreciate the value and benefits of a successful Apprenticeship scheme and we will continue to invest in new Apprentices each year”.

 

By featuring first-hand accounts of young apprentices working in businesses across the West Highlands, the videos effectively outline why apprenticeship programmes offer a credible alternative pathway to young people seeking a high-flying career.  They also demonstrate the wide range of industry sectors, apprenticeship programmes and career opportunities that are available across the region.

 

BSW Timber, Ferguson Transport & Shipping, Gael Force, Mowi and the Lovat Hotel have already showcased apprentices from their business for DYW West Highland’s year-long promotional video campaign when their apprenticeship videos were launched at the start of 2019.

 

Caroline Gregory, a passionate advocate for apprenticeships, and member of the employer-led Board of DYW West Highland said: “The Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland has paved the way for our future young talent with our team and business benefitting from their growth and success as they develop their careers, and themselves, over the course of their apprenticeship.”

 

One of the recently appointed members of staff at the Lovat Hotel was so inspired, not only by DYW West Highland’s video showcasing apprenticeships at the hotel but also on hearing how passionately the Owner, Caroline Gregory, spoke about their exciting apprenticeship programme, she is now enrolled as a hospitality apprentice.

 

The Scottish Apprenticeship programme offers flexible framework options with over 120 apprenticeships available for businesses, large or small, ranging from construction to digital media.  They provide an excellent array of opportunities, as demonstrated through DYW West Highland’s apprenticeship video series. There is also funding available towards apprenticeships, where Skills Development Scotland contribute towards the training costs, whilst businesses pay the apprentices’ wages just like any other employee.

Ends

 

Media contact:

Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected]

M: +44 (0)7913 951717

 

Images attached – please credit Developing the Young Workforce West Highland

 

Notes to Editors

 

DYW West Highland Apprenticeship Videos

The videos can be found at the following links:

 

The films highlight apprenticeship roles in: Mechanical Engineering, Trees and Timber, Deck Hand Apprentice, Engine Room Apprentice, HGV Mechanic, Business Administration and Electrician apprentices.

 

The video case studies truly capture and celebrate the exciting range and diversity of career opportunities in Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross.

 

In the interviews, the apprentices talk about their day-to-day work experiences, what drives their enthusiasm for their apprenticeships, the excellent opportunities they have been given and their hopes for the future as a direct result of their apprenticeships. Their employers are also featured highlighting the fantastic on the job training and other career opportunities their employees gain on apprenticeship programmes, as well as the benefits of apprenticeships to their organisations.

For the wider business community, the case studies highlight the strength and depth of talent to be found within local schools and colleges that can be nurtured by employers through apprenticeship programmes; leading to a thriving regional economy.

 

For the wider business community, the case studies highlight the strength and depth of talent to be found within local schools and colleges that can be nurtured by employers through apprenticeship programmes; leading to a thriving regional economy.

 

Lesley Benfield, DYW West Highland Programme Director, said: “Businesses know that Apprenticeships give young people the practical skills and qualifications that their business needs and young people are finding they can become valued employees early in their working careers by using the Apprenticeship route to qualification.  Learning whilst earning has become an increasingly attractive alternative to full-time academic study and employers are reporting that taking on Apprentices is resulting in growth and increased productivity in their business.

 

“We hope that our video series will encourage more businesses to harness the amazing fresh talent we have here in the West Highlands and realise the potential of using the Apprenticeship framework to upskill existing employees.”

 

The DYW West Highland

 

DYW West Highland is hosted by Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and covers Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross

 

Launched late summer 2016, DYW West Highland forms part of the Scottish Government’s Youth Employment Strategy, which aims to ensure young people in Scotland have the skills and confidence needed to make the seamless transition between school and the workforce.  There are 21 regional DYW groups in Scotland, leading and driving the change in employers’ engagement with schools and colleges.

 

Working as a synthesis of schools, partner agencies, employers, parents, carers and young people, DYW West Highland’s goal is to bridge the gap between learning and working to allow each respective group to engage with one another, fostering a culture of collaboration through a variety of opportunities.

 

The DYW West Highland team aim to expand opportunities to young people, through employer-led initiatives, so that they gain valuable workplace skills and further education opportunities, making them more attractive to employers.  In doing so they can help employers shape the future workforce of the West Highlands and help better prepare young people for the world of work.

 

Businesses looking into hiring someone new, to up-skill an existing employee; or to get involved in employer-led employability activities in schools that will inspire them to pursue the skills to work within their organisations, are encouraged to get in touch with DYW West Highland.

You Might Also Like

Lochaber Ideas Week returns to Fort William after a two-year covid hiatus

International partnership benefits Nevis Range snowsports enthusiasts

Nevis Range and Trek renew commercial partnership for 2020/21

New hydro scheme powers Scottish mountain resort

Celebrating 90 years of Scottish hostelling

Edinburgh’s Electric Cycle Company has been supercharged

Lochaber Ideas Week programme revealed

Nevis Range team up with Endura

Scran Café – Youth powered café launched by Scran Academy

The new Pentland Trail Centre – The future for Edinburgh biking

Lee Craigie, outdoor ambassador and adventurer, wins top mountain award

IRONKIDS Scotland – 3,000 kids to take part in global running series

Former Farrier, Matthew Jackson, appointed Chair of DYW West Highland

Nevis Range partner with Disability Snowsport UK for Winter 18/19

POC headline sponsor for Scottish Enduro Series for sixth year

Outdoor Capital Activities and Attractions Expo open for tourism business

Young people invited to collaborate in Muckin’ good summer festivals

Elite mountain bike racer, Mikayla Parton, wins Youth Mountain Award

‘A Meeting of Minds 2’ celebrates innovation in Scotland’s aquaculture sector

Scottish Enduro Series confirms POC as headline sponsor for fifth year

New European partnership to upskill adventure tourism in five countries

Highland entrepreneurial masterclass series looking to foster growth…

Keith Legge, CEO of SYHA Hostelling Scotland, steps down after 13 years

Nevis Range looks forward to reopening in July

Millburn Academy ensures a warm welcome to Inverness Youth Hostel

Immerse yourself in Lochaber Ideas Week 2019

Lochaber Tourism Summit 2019, a must-attend event for Highland tourism businesses

Hostelling Scotland’s network opens for 2023. Give hostelling a go!

Nevis Range announces Commencal as new global gravity sports partner

Midlothian ‘zero carbon’ office development seeks Planning in Principle

Sustainable active travel and food tourism at the heart of new adventure film

Loch Ossian and Torridon Youth Hostels shortlisted in TGO Reader Awards

SYHA appoints Lois Marshall as Youth & Volunteer Engagement Manager

Crieff antique dealer unearths rare Rolex ‘MilSub’ dive watch worth £120,000

Young heroes wanted for aerial dance workshops in the Easter holidays

Young event assistants invited to join the IRONKIDS Scotland event team

Nevis Range, Scotland’s highest snowsports destination, open for business

National Funding Boost for Cream o’ the Croft and The Eliminator

Inspirational volunteer, Steph McKenna, wins Youth Mountain Award

Scran Academy reach 100,000 essential meals delivery milestone

Developing for the future at Nevis Range!

OATS in search of a Fairy Pool of staff

Young ‘Fifers’ invited to collaborate in Eliminator Bike Festival

Edinburgh’s Electric Cycle Company sees 80% rise in Lockdown sales

Nevis Range is making it snow all season long!

Hostelling Scotland, a new brand identity unveiled

Visit Moray Speyside launches their biggest ever UK marketing campaign

‘A Meeting of Minds’ – An online event to celebrate Scotland’s aquaculture sector

ITV4 to screen every minute of OVO Energy Tour of Britain live

Nevis Range to turn back the clock to 1989 to celebrate 30 years of adventure

Lochaber community is pulling together to give Nevis Range a lift after lockdown!

Hostelling Scotland begins phased opening of Youth Hostel network

One Lochaber Leadership Programme to be launched at Lochaber Ideas Week

Discover Scotland’s ‘Braw Buildings’ with Hostelling Scotland

Call for nominations to join Hostelling Scotland’s Board of Trustees

Frazer Coupland appointed Chair of The Highland Tourism Partnership

Nevis Range moving forward with interim CEO Rod Pashley

Becoming a Conscious Host: Carbon Neutrality and Beyond

Hostelling Scotland fully open for business after two years

Nevis Range and Trek renew commercial partnership for 2019/20

Scran Academy on ‘foodwill’ tour of Edinburgh

Lochaber’s Nevis Range becomes an accredited Living Wage employer

IRONKIDS activity programmes promote healthy and active lifestyles – SUN, FUN, RUN!

120 young people from Edinburgh create multi-artform production during Covid

Video series to showcase apprenticeships in the West Highlands launched

Finance and Economy Secretary, Kate Forbes, opens car park and off-grid toilets at Skye’s Iconic Fairy Pools

Nevis Range and Trek announce a partnership for 2018/19

Dr Liz Cameron, Scotland’s voice of business, to headline women’s networking lunch

Haggis from Scotland’s first free-range Haggis farm goes on sale in Lochaber

Edinburgh’s Electric Cycle Company is being supercharged

Monster Meets Mountain – Nevis Range joins forces with the Cobbs Group

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce invite Scottish Businesses to Join Trade Missions to Orange County and Nova Scotia

Young volunteers wanted to run IRONKIDS Scotland running events

Chris O’Brien, MD of Nevis Range, shortlisted for Business Leader of The Year