Modern Apprenticeship Programme
20th November 2023
The programme enables people to work, earn and learn as a paid employee over a period of 18 months. While gaining valuable work experience the recruits are supported to achieve an industry recognised qualification.
For employers, modern apprenticeships help develop their workforce by training new staff and upskilling existing employees.
Kata Garzo (21), Francesca Scott (31) and Grace Henderson (18) recently completed their own MA SVQ qualifications with HIE and have since secured permanent positions.
Kata started as procurement assistant with HIE in September 2022, working out of the organisation's Inverness office. Reflecting on the experience, she said:
"I think apprenticeships are hugely underestimated. They enable you to learn as you work and acquire the right skills for a specific job. This gives you a big advantage and creates opportunities to gain more experience and be well placed to move up the ladder. I feel like I've learnt more in six months as an MA than I did in a year at college. And there's always plenty support. I'm so pleased I went down this path and would highly recommend it for everybody!"
Francesca and Grace are financial administrators in HIE's Benbecula office. Grace, who started her MA in July 2022, said:
"I would definitely recommend to people that they think about a Modern Apprenticeship if they’re looking to start or even change career. I didn’t know a lot about it at first but approached it with an open mind and found it to be a great alternative to the university or college route, which would have meant leaving home. The learning has been very hands on and practical, with lots of support."
Stepanka Nicol, recruitment and resourcing manager with HIE’s HR team, said, "As an organisation we are committed to developing the young workforce as part of our workforce plan and have recently appointed a cohort of graduates and modern apprentices. Our MA and graduate programme is a great way to attract fresh talent and to enable more young people to remain in the region. Now that Grace, Francesca and Kata have all successfully completed their SVQ training we are delighted we have been able to make their posts permanent with us.
More information on the Modern Apprenticeship programme is available on the Skills Development Scotland website
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Shell-volution is an ambitious industry-wide initiative supported by the public sector and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) which has been awarded £4.4 million of investment from the UK Government as part of the Islands Growth Deal. This innovative, ground-breaking project is set to transform shellfish aquaculture, bringing sustainable growth and additional quality jobs in mussel farming, based on detailed investigations (mapping and monitoring) and creating a model for improving security and reliability of wild spat recruitment, through industry best practice.
A Nairn-based foundry, which has achieved international recognition for its larger-than-life bronze castings has invested in a £200,000 expansion to help it reach greater heights. An award of £60,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has helped Black Isle Bronze to improve infrastructure and purchase equipment to extend the range of projects the firm can undertake.
Young businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to increase productivity, innovation and employment can apply for funding from HIE. The fourth round of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Young Business Capital Grant (YBCG) is now open to businesses that have been trading for less than five years with up to 250 full-time equivalent employees.
Ambitious young businesspeople in the Highlands and Islands have just one more chance to benefit from a tailored support programme. IMPACT30 was launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 2018 to help nurture and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The winners of the Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Awards (HIFAD) 2024 were announced on Friday 1 November at a prestigious ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness. Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the awards celebrate the talent, quality and diversity across food, drink and hospitality in the Highlands and Islands.
A family run engineering fabrication firm in Caithness is investing in a project to improve productivity, grow business turnover and create new jobs. Gow's Lybster Limited has been working with development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) over several years to develop its growth plans.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will return to Norway to host the Scottish Pavilion at Aqua Nor 2025. The Scottish aquaculture supply chain is invited to register their interest to exhibit as part of the pavilion or join the wider Scottish delegation.
A young engineer working on Britain's deepest nuclear clean-up project has been recognised by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). Liam Gordon (27) won the Young Chemical Engineer of the Year award at the annual showcase event of the Aberdeen branch of IChemE, the professional body for chemical engineers in the UK.
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities. Small to medium sized enterprises in the Highland Council area that operate in the food and drink sector and its supply chain are expected to benefit from a new programme of support launched his week.
Businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations can now apply to a new Green Grant Fund launched on Thursday 26 September 2024. The three-year £2.7m fund was developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
