MSP marks Scottish Apprenticeship Week

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North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie met apprentices at the University of St Andrews to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017.

Mr Rennie, who met apprentices from the IT and Estates departments, said: “It is fantastic to see a University with an outstanding international reputation for higher education and research providing apprenticeships for local people.

“The enthusiasm of St Andrews in this area is refreshing and ensures that not only are young people being trained, they are being given the opportunity to be part of the University.”

The University’s IT department currently has five apprentices and has taken on 15 since 2012.

Pauline Brown, IT Service Operations Manager, said: “Taking on IT apprentices has brought significant benefits to us as a department, to our University community and to the apprentices themselves. It gives local young people the opportunity to gain ‘on the job’ experience, to earn while they learn, and to gain qualifications (from QA training) too.

“Our IT staff have fully embraced the scheme and very much enjoy sharing their skills and knowledge with our young people. We’re really proud of all of our apprentices, and of the scheme we run here.”

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The University’s Estates department introduced an apprenticeship programme in 2007 and currently has 13 apprentices with 17 young people having completed the programme.

Assistant Director of Estates, Helen Mackie, said: “This programme allows us to offer training and development in a diverse variety of trade skills, within a unique portfolio of buildings. In addition to maintaining our current buildings, our apprentices are also given the opportunity to work with contractors on new developments.

“Our apprentices are a valuable and enthusiastic addition to our workforce, enabling us to develop a pool of home-grown talent who are appropriately skilled and trained.”

Find out more about Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office, contactable on 01334 467310/2530 or [email protected].