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The first ever Scottish Apprenticeship Week will take place from 5-9 September, aiming to encourage more businesses to take on apprentices. The example of Carole McGregor, who took an apprenticeship at Bell & Bain printers in Glasgow, shows how vocational learning programmes can boost business and aid the economic recovery, says Linda McCourt, Proskills Scotland Manager
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The first ever Scottish Apprenticeship week will take place from 5-9 September 2011, aiming to encourage more businesses to take on apprentices and highlight the positive impact they can have on a company. While training the workforce inevitably costs money, the initial investment is more than repaid over the long-term, as highly trained staff work more efficiently and show a higher level of commitment to their employer.
These benefits are well illustrated by the example of Carole McGregor, who took an apprenticeship at Glasgow printing company Bell & Bain. "The training and apprenticeship is delivered in a structured process that has allowed me to develop both as a person and as an employee," she said. "Studying at college and having to deal with training within a workplace gave me the discipline to work my way though my Scottish Vocational Qualification and my Modern Apprenticeship. It also allowed me to work at a pace which suited me."
This flexible approach helps students develop both industry-relevant skills and the confidence to apply them in the workplace. In the long-term this will bring real commercial benefits. "Bell & Bain has gained a dedicated, ambitious and capable employee who can perform to a very high level. As well as producing within a factory environment, Carole now has the authority to liaise and communicate with customers," said Graeme Wilson of Graphic Enterprise Scotland. "She has developed into a capable worker who has the interpersonal skills to interact and communicate with both her fellow workers and customers."
As the Sector Skills Council for the process and manufacturing sector, Proskills aims to highlight the importance of vocational learning and the positive impact apprenticeship programmes can have on company performance. "We know that Apprenticeships and Vocational Learning are cost-effective ways to impact profitability, so we're very pleased that the Government is supporting training and increasing funding for apprenticeships," said Terry Watts, Proskills CEO.
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Notes to Editors:
About Proskills Group
Proskills UK Group comprises Proskills UK - the Sector Skills Council for Process and Manufacturing Sector and the Proskills Academy.
Proskills UK is the bridge between employers and Government on skills and training.
Proskills is employer-led by nine key industries; Building Products, Coatings, Extractives, Furniture, Glass, Glazed Ceramics, Paper, Print and Wood, which make a third of the UK manufacturing sector. Proskills UK helps to raise the profile and sets the skills standards and qualifications for the sector and ensures that the skills and funding delivers against the current and future needs of the industries.
As the commercial arm of Proskills UK, National Skills Academy, Materials, Production & Supply is the first step in identifying and accessing the training your business needs to reduce costs and boost productivity.
Contact Information
Patrick Truss
Proskills UK
85b Centurion Court
Abingdon
OX14 4RY
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