Working for Scotland an essential engine for driving positive working impacts

The national campaign runs from 2 to 6 March and is designed to show the positive impact of Scottish Apprenticeships on people, employers and country’s economy.

This year, the theme of Scottish Apprenticeship Week – co-ordinated by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), and supported by the Scottish Government with a wide range of national and local partners – is “Working for Scotland”.

According to SDS, apprenticeships are working for Scotland by creating careers and enabling people to reach their potential, supporting employers to develop and grow their workforce, and getting real substantial returns for the economy. 

There are currently around 12,000 apprentice employers in Scotland, investing in over 40,000 Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices.

Scottish Apprenticeships are created in partnership with employers, for employers and nine out of ten consulted report that apprenticeships have significantly improved their job performance.

The majority of Modern Apprenticeships are in Scotland’s growth sectors and apprentice employers are working for Scotland, by providing opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds.

Activities and events to support Scottish Apprenticeship Week are taking place across the country, delivered by learning providers, local authorities, schools, and businesses to demonstrate how apprenticeships really are working for Scotland.

Skills Development Scotland chair, Frank Mitchell, comments: “Scottish Apprenticeships provide real returns for employers, individuals and the economy.

“People from all backgrounds are gaining meaningful career opportunities through apprenticeships, creating diverse workforces that benefit business and our society.

He continues: “At a time when employers are seeing skill shortages all over the country, apprenticeships have never been so important than they are now.”

Businesses of various sizes from a range of sectors across Scotland have explained the value of apprenticeships.

Kirstie Adams, support services director at Hamilton-based construction firm Procast, says: “Some of our most experienced tradespeople were approaching retirement and rather than compete for an ever-shrinking pool of qualified staff, we decided to grow our own through apprenticeships. Our managing director started as an apprentice himself.

“Apprenticeships don’t simply fill workforce gaps, they nurture talent that will drive innovation in sustainable construction and renewable energy. By training the next generation exclusively in low-carbon construction methods, we’re futureproofing both our business and the industry’s capacity to deliver the green transition.”

Kim Wregg, an office administrator at Moffat nursery and out-of-school club, says: “Apprenticeships aren’t just about training – they’re investing in people, our business, and our community.

“Apprenticeships have had a huge impact, bringing fresh energy and innovation across the nursery.

“We’re in a rural area with limited career opportunities, especially for young people. We want to offer qualifications and experience on our doorstep and apprenticeships enable us to do that.”

Jen Davies, SP Energy Network’s head of workforce renewals, says: “Our apprentices don’t just train for a job – they build careers and shape the energy transition.

“Apprenticeships are essential for our business and industry. We won’t get these skills and roles from market – they don’t exist unless we grow our own as they’re specific to our sector.”

Late last year, Scotland’s apprenticeship system was further strengthened by enhanced principles and guidance. With employer support from the Scottish Apprenticeships Advisory Board, the Scottish Government set down a comprehensive list designed to provide clarity and consistency for stakeholders involved in the creation, approval, and delivery of apprenticeships.

Constructing a career change into renewables

CASE STUDY Jonathan Marshall made the new grade with a Graduate Apprenticeship

It’s important to note that apprenticeships can work successfully for people from a wide variety of circumstances, not just those starting out in work. Many individuals looking to change careers have benefited from an apprenticeship.

For example, a Graduate Apprenticeship was the catalyst for Jonathan Marshall to construct a new career. The dad-of-two is now overseeing critical work which will deliver renewable energy across the UK.

Ambitious Jonathan moved from a career in agriculture and machinery to working in a key role at SSEN Transmission, delivering substation and cabling works needed for renewable electricity transmission.

The 32-year-old from Perth oversaw the construction of major substations and was promoted from trainee to full construction manager in less than two years.

Jonathan says: “Doing the Graduate Apprenticeship has expanded my leadership and mentoring skills and given me a deep understanding of safe and sustainable construction.

“Having a young family of my own makes supporting net-zero really important to me, because it directly affects future generations.

“I’m a big advocate of apprenticeships and supporting early careers within SSEN Transmission to help ensure that the workforce is there for the next generation.”

Jonathan chose a Graduate Apprenticeship in Construction and the Built Environment at Robert Gordon University (RGU)in Aberdeen as a pathway to academic growth and a net-zero career shift.

He uses his academic learning to implement real-world solutions that contribute to the net-zero ambitions of his firm, and the energy sector as a whole.

Jonathan’s diverse background, including growing up on his family farm and working abroad in agriculture, has built a culture of continuous improvement which positively impacts his team.

He plans to continue supporting climate change initiatives by delivering critical infrastructure, working towards his chartership with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and moving into project management, as well as mentoring others.

Graduate Apprenticeships are a way to get qualified up to Master’s degree level while in paid employment. They work for Scotland by supporting key sectors that need highly skilled workforces.

SSEN early careers pipeline lead Kristin Knight says: “Jonathan has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability throughout his apprenticeship. His collaborative approach and readiness to share knowledge helps to create an encouraging learning environment for others.

“Apprenticeships were introduced to build a resilient, future-focused workforce capable of delivering the critical infrastructure needed for a net-zero energy system and apprentices bring fresh thinking, curiosity and long-term commitment.

“They strengthen our talent pipeline and ensure we have the skilled people needed to safely connect, operate and expand the transmission network for decades to come.”

(Case study supplied by SDS)