Scottish Apprenticeship Week 21st - 25th May

13th May 2012

A PIONEERING Scots life sciences company is putting Modern Apprentices at the heart of its plans for the future.

Lifescan Scotland, which designs and manufactures diabetes products, is backing Skills Development Scotland's Scottish Apprenticeship Week (May 21 to 25).

The company, which is based in Inverness, is one of the biggest private employers in the Highlands with around 1100 staff. It runs two successful Modern Apprenticeship programmes - one in life sciences and one in engineering.

The engineering scheme is currently training 19 Modern Apprentices, with six more due to start this year.

The four Modern Apprentices taken on as part of the life sciences programme four years ago are now all employed as lab technicians. Another three will start in the autumn.

Scott Dickinson, quality laboratory manager, explains: "We are giving the Modern Apprentices a fantastic opportunity to train and work within the largest healthcare company in the world. There are no limits on career advancement here and the hope is we are not only nurturing a workforce for the short to medium term but growing the future leaders of the site and perhaps beyond."

Sandra Macintyre, Modern Apprentice programme sponsors, adds:"By investing in Modern Apprentices, supported by Skills Development Scotland and Inverness College, we are creating a highly skilled workforce trained to meet the needs of our business as we grow and develop over the next few years," says Sandra.

Gavin Chisholm, 27, from Nairn, says: "From the moment I joined the lifesciences Modern Apprenticeship programme, I felt like I was learning valuable skills as part of the team. It was a real benefit, being able to combine such comprehensive on-the-job training with theory work at college."

Shivonne Cracknell, also 27, from Edderton, agrees: "I'd always been interested in science, so coming here has been a fantastic opportunity to gain skills and a valuable qualification."


Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships.

John McClelland, Chair of Skills Development Scotland, said: "It has never been more important for businesses across Scotland to grow and develop a skilled workforce. Employers can find out how they can access support to help them to employ apprentices by calling our helpline on 0800 783 6000 or going onto our website www.sds.co.uk/modernapprenticeships."