The success of a major Inverness company’s apprenticeship scheme has led to more being taken on.
LifeScan Scotland’s first modern apprenticeship programme has over the past few months enrolled a further 10 engineering apprentices.
The Modern Apprentice Programme gives participants hands-on experience and real-world insight into the diverse business activities of LifeScan Scotland, as well as helping them develop skills and gain qualifications.
Malcolm Mathieson, of Smithton, Inverness, one of the apprentices approaching the end of his four-year programme with the company, said: “It’s been brilliant. Not only will I come out with a degree qualification in the summer, but I have also secured a permanent job with LifeScan.”
All four of the 2006 apprentices have secured jobs with the company.
The programme, which consists of college education, online training and hands-on, workplace rotations, forms an important part of LifeScan’s commitment to skills development in the local area.
Maintenance leader Lenny Thumath said: “Our goal is to provide craft or technician-based opportunities for young people in the local area while developing in-house trained staff to support engineering functions within our company.
“Selection is tough and we are delighted by the calibre of people we have had on the programme to date.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to become a fully-qualified, competent tradesman or woman by the end of the apprenticeship.”
As well as providing places for engineering apprentices, LifeScan has also, for the first time, this year enrolled four life science apprentices, through a programme led by government run, Skills Development Scotland.