A north-east firm which makes fire safety systems for the oil and gas industry has helped the Apprentice 100 campaign go out in a transcendent blaze of glory.
Blaze Manufacturing, whose headquarters are in Laurencekirk, will recruit an apprentice designer as the climactic part of our crusade to give talented young people a chance to shine.
It means we have racked up exactly 150 pledges over the 100 days of our campaign – a grand total of 50% more than we set out to create.
Scotia Homes vowed to hire five trainees when it joined Apprentice 100 in October, but last week said it had actually found room for six.
This extra pledge helped us reach 149, before Blaze took us onto 150.
Upon launching Apprentice 100, we called for employers in the north and north-east of Scotland to give young people a golden opportunity to train for their dream jobs.
We wanted our initiative to highlight the benefits apprenticeships can bring to businesses and communities at a time when industries that are vital to the UK economy are in the grip of skills shortages.
Apprentice 100 has now finished, but we will be writing about people who have found employment through our recruitment drive during the next 12 months.
We urge employers to keep putting their faith in youngsters by promoting and running apprenticeship programmes.
Blaze, which also has a base in Kemnay, took on its first-ever apprentice this year through the Prince’s Trust’s Get Into Oil and Gas programme. Bosses at the firm have been thoroughly impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment that the new recruit has shown.
Andrew Young, 16, first came to Blaze on work experience from Mearns Academy before being offered the trainee position, which he started five months ago.
Andrew assists with general workshop duties, including loading and unloading containers and pallets, building skids, checking stock in and out and supporting the workshop technicians.
Working closely with Tullos Training, which has designed an apprenticeship specifically for the role of a workshop technician, Andrew has now embarked fully on his apprenticeship.
He said: “I’m so grateful that Blaze gave me the opportunity. My mentor, Tam Fleming, is brilliant and really good at teaching me different jobs in the workshop. Everyone at the company is really approachable and offer me help and support whenever I need it.”
Managing director Howard Johnson, who founded the company with his wife Ann in 2006, said: “We gave Andrew a chance and he has thrown himself into it. He’s young and focused. Eventually he wants to become a workshop manager.”
Mr Johnson said he thinks apprentices will have an increasingly important role to play at Blaze, which employs 32 people.
He added: “As employees progress into different fields, we will look to bring new people through. We would be foolhardy not to train people and invest in the people who work here.”
The new designer will work with Blaze’s engineering team in Laurencekirk while completing a mechanical engineering qualification at college.
The job involves creating 3D models of equipment, working on-site with clients, carrying out surveys, and assisting with fabrication in the workshop.
Ann Johnson, finance director, said that being able to fit in with the company’s culture was more important than possessing academic ability although English, Maths and Physics was vital to the role.
She said: “We’re like a family here. We’ve only had one person leave the company in nine years. Now it’s important to get young people to move up through the company.”
Apply to become an apprentice at Blaze by sending a CV to Allison.darragh@blazeman.co.uk
Damian Bates, editor-in-chief of the Press and Journal
“I am absolutely thrilled we’ve reached the amazing final tally of 150 when our initial target was 100. That means 150 young people will be starting their careers thanks to the P&J and our partners through this campaign.
“We’ve all been overwhelmed by the response and we can’t thank the individual firms, people and bosses who signed up to this bid to create roles for youngsters enough. We’ve simply been blown away by it all.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
“I would like to congratulate the Press and Journal on the success of their campaign.
“Apprenticeships not only offer our young people better job prospects – they also have a positive impact on businesses and industry, bringing value to employers and our economy.
“I am delighted that so many employers have taken this opportunity to give our young people a further chance to succeed in the workplace.”
Sir Ian Wood
“The Press & Journal campaign on apprenticeships has clearly highlighted the very significant benefits employers gain from taking on apprentices.
“With the Developing the Young Workforce North East Scotland initiative now well underway in Aberdeen and Shire, I really hope employers will pick up the baton and very significantly increase the number of apprentices taken on throughout our region.
“The cost for apprentices to small and medium size companies is significantly reduced and there are great benefits to the companies.”
Marcliffe Hotel owner Stewart Spence
“The Apprentice 100 campaign has been a resounding success thanks to all the supporters from a range of industries in the north and north-east of Scotland.
“These young apprentices are our future leaders and employers and they will remember where they got their start and will carry on the tradition of investing in apprentices. Well done to the P&J and all the supporters. Let’s do this every year!
Jo Golder, project manager of Developing the Young Workforce North East
“We commend the Press & Journal for taking a leading role in promoting the development of our future workforce. Apprenticeships are a critical part of this but are currently offered by only a fifth of businesses in the north-east.
“By collaborating and linking education and business, DYW will also help increase the number of apprentices by 1,000 in the next three years so we support all positive activities towards achieving this goal.
Liz Cameron OBE, director and chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce
“The Press and Journal’s Apprentice 100 campaign has been, by any definition, a spectacular success.
“Employers across all sectors have stepped forward to grasp the opportunity to develop the talent of tomorrow across the north-east and beyond and it demonstrates that businesses are prepared to invest for the future, even at a time of international economic headwinds.
“It just goes to show the potential that exists.
Damien Yeates, chief executive of Skills Development Scotland
“The Press & Journal’s campaign has highlighted the importance of employers investing in the skills of their workforce and the benefits that brings to local communities.
“Businesses across the north-east and the Highlands and Islands have shown their commitment to Modern Apprenticeships. All the employers who have pledged their support for apprenticeships are to be commended and congratulated for the part they are playing in developing Scotland’s workforce.”
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce
“Everyone involved with the P&J’s Apprentice 100 Campaign can be justifiably proud of all that it has achieved.
“The campaign has done a magnificent job of raising the profile of apprenticeships within the business community across the region. The business and public sector response had been fantastic with a diverse range of business sizes and sectors committing to recruiting apprentices.
It has been pleasing to note that businesses across the whole of the region have positively engaged with the campaign. Well done all.”