Glowing report for Council's Apprenticeship Programme

21st November 2019

The Highland Council Modern Apprenticeship Programme recently achieved a top grading following a three-day Quality Assurance Assessment from Skills Development Scotland.

The Council's Modern Apprenticeship provision has been designed so it can utilise current resources to deliver high quality training to new and existing employees. Feedback from the assessing team highlighted that the Council fully demonstrated that it is meeting all the standards with strong strengths and exhibiting best practice.

Recent additions to the programme have been 20 Early Years Practitioners and the Council is on track to have supported 191 apprentices as part of the programme by the end of this financial year.

John Greig joined the Highland Council as a Youth Trainee in October 2018. Recognising his potential, the IT department elected to give John the opportunity to complete an SVQ in IT and Telecommunications. Modern Apprenticeships are not always available for Youth Trainees due to the time constraints, but because John applied himself to his studies he was able to complete the qualification in short order, testament to his diligence and hard work.

On top of this John was awarded the Trainee of the Year award at The Highland Council Awards ceremony last Thursday and has now secured a full-time role as a Digital Service Officer

Lily Scrimgeour started her apprenticeship in October 2017, coming straight from school working in Corporate Resources. Lily said: "This experience has allowed me to improve aspects of my job and my personal life as it has given me a deeper knowledge of the importance of prioritising tasks and time management. My apprenticeship has not only provided me with career skills, but it has also provided me with many social skills that will be beneficial when developing into future roles".

Lily has completed her apprenticeship and Scottish Vocational Qualification in Business Administration and now has a post as a Revenues Assistant in Corporate Resources.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Highland's £2.1 Billion Promise - Big Plans Meet a Very Different Financial Reality

£2.1 billion is a difficult number for most people to comprehend.   It is so large that it can make almost any announcement sound impressive.  

4/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Eilidh Primrose is the New Highland Youth Convener

The Highlands has a new young people’s champion after confirmation that Eilidh Primrose has taken up the role of Highland Youth Convener for 2026-27.   Twenty-two-year-old Eilidh, who lives in Inverness, is the 18th person appointed to the position and has taken over from Leah McBain.  

1/9/2026 : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

2/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.  

31/8/2026 : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.