Scotland's Modern Apprenticeship Awards finalists announced

19th September 2013

Highland hopefuls named after record-breaking number of entries.

Reids of Caithness once again in the running.

Finalists in Scotland's Modern Apprenticeship Awards the country's most northern bakery, life sciences company LifeScan Scotland and consultancy, technology and outsourcing service providers Capgemini.

Thurso-based Reid's of Caithness is a contender in the SME of the Year category for workplaces which have fewer than 250 employees. The most northern bakery in Britain is a family business with expanding international markets.

LifeScan Scotland, based in Inverness, is a finalist in the Awards Large Employer of the Year category for workplaces with less than 5,000 employees. Multi-national Capgemini, of Nairn, is hoping for a win in the Macro Employer of the Year category for workplaces with more than 5,000 employees.

Other contenders in this years Awards include a designer, engineers, a Royal gamekeeper, knitwear manufacturers, life science and defence systems companies.
Partnered by GTG Training, the 2013 Awards are organised by Skills Development Scotland. The Awards recognise the quality and value of apprenticeships, the achievements of individuals and the employers who support them. The Modern Apprenticeship programme is fast becoming the training route of choice for todays talented young people. Over 25,000 new apprentices began their training this year, matching the number of those who started in 2012.

The nine categories in this year's Awards include individual awards for apprentices at Level 2, Level 3, Technical and Professional. The new Apprentice Champion category was created to honour the commitment, enthusiasm and ability of those apprentices who highlight the benefits of the apprentice programme to others. Another new category is the Public Sector Employer of the Year.

Skills Development Scotlands Chief Executive Damien Yeates said: This years entries show the tremendous talent among Scotlands apprentices and the vital role played by employers across the country. The Awards bring in to sharp focus the need to invest in our young people at the earliest possible opportunity and build the skilled workforces of the future.�


Scotlands Modern Apprenticeship Award 2013 finalists

Apprentice of the Year - Level 2
Nicole Chalmers Dundee
Jemma Oliver Kirkcaldy, Fife
Greg Sinclair New Alyth, Perthshire

Apprentice of the Year - Level 3
Jurgens Joubert Whiteness, Shetland Islands
Kenny McAllister Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire
Kevin Wilson Aberdeen
Andrew Wright Kirkcaldy, Fife

Apprentice of the Year Technical and Professional
Arman Hussain Glasgow
Sean McBride Renfrew, Renfrewshire
Neil Stewart Bishopton, Renfrewshire

Apprentice Champion
Rory Gregor Petrofac, Aberdeen
Arnold Grundy Selex ES Ltd, Edinburgh
Angela Wilson Renfrewshire Council, Paisley, Renfrewshire

Micro Employer 10 employees or fewer
Majellas Coffee Shop Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire
McGregor Consultants Aberdeen

SME Employer Between 11 and 249 employees
Cairellot (Childcare) Bishopton, Renfrewshire
Hawick Knitwear Ltd Hawick, Scottish Borders
Hyspec Engineering Ltd Stewarton, East Ayrshire
Reids of Caithness (Bakers) Thurso, Highland

Large Employer Between 250 and 4,999 employees
LifeScan Scotland Ltd Inverness, Highland
Score Europe Limited Peterhead, Aberdeenshire
Scottish Leather Group Ltd Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire
Selex ES Ltd Edinburgh

Macro Employer Over 5,000 employees
BAE Systems Maritime Naval Ships Glasgow
BT Plc Glasgow
Capgemini Nairn, Highland

Public Sector Employer
City of Edinburgh Council
Renfrewshire Council
West Lothian Council