It has been a sensational first 10 days for The Press and Journal’s Apprentice 100 campaign – and we want the next 10 to be even better.
Major firms have already given their backing to our drive to help talented young people across the north and north-east fulfil their potential.
And tomorrow we will reveal which international engineering services company is helping us get one step closer to our goal of creating 100 apprentices in 100 days.
The campaign has been launched at a crucial time, as sectors which vital to the economy issue warnings about the lack of up-and-coming youngsters ready to step into full-time employment.
The Press and Journal aims to change employers’ mindsets by highlighting the benefits which apprenticeships can bring to their businesses and communities.
In just 10 days, we have garnered support from a host of big names including Michelin-star chef Nick Nairn, telecoms giant BT, global investment management group Aberdeen Asset Management, Peterhead-based engineering form Score Europe and Aberdeenshire Council.
The Press and Journal itself has also promised to create an apprenticeship in memory of late farming editor Joe Watson, who died at the age of 43 in March last year.
Last night, the boss of Score Europe underlined the importance of apprenticeships to the business.
Conrad Ritchie, the company’s managing director, said: “Apprenticeships are absolutely critical to our business.
“Our programme is at the core of the business. It’s fundamental to our business model.
“Our company has grown quite significantly over the past 25 years and we’ve needed our own programme so that we can create the skilled staff we need.”
BT Scotland director, Brendan Dick, added: “Our new recruits will help create and build Scotland’s next generation of communications technologies as we make further advances in high speed broadband, mobile, sport and digital television.
“In the long term, the skills learned through a BT apprenticeship help to improve our capabilities as a nation – and that is crucial to attracting business investment and growing our economy.”
More details about The Press and Journal apprenticeship created in memory of Joe Watson can be found in Friday’s free Your Jobs in Scotland pullout.