A north-east college has hailed its recent batch of apprentices as they prepare to advance with their careers.
North East Scotland College (Nescol) held its annual Modern Apprenticeship presentation event last week, when students who had successfully completed their courses were awarded their certificates in front of family and friends.
The apprentices are now preparing to take on a wide variety of jobs across the region.
The event followed the campus’ multimillion-pound expansion of its science and engineering department which now forms part of the school’s dedicated STEM centre.
Mitchell Runcie was one of the pupils to have completed the apprenticeship course this year.
And he said working with his older brother, Bruce, at stock car racing in Crimond had fuelled his burgeoning passion for engineering.
He now holds a level three City and Guilds certificate in vehicle maintenance and repair.
He said: “I have always known that I wanted to work with cars.
“Staying on at school just didn’t appeal to me – I was more interested in starting work and earning my own money. So I began my apprenticeship and went to college on day release.
“This meant that, for most of the week, I was hands on and every Thursday I attended college for the theory – understanding in greater depth how all the component parts work.
“I found the mix of practical and college learning really suited me.”
Ian Runcie, employer engagement manager at Nescol, added: “The Modern Apprenticeship programme continues to thrive despite the economic challenges that the region still faces.
“It is a proven route of how businesses choose to invest today to secure the skills for the future.
“Many of the apprentices have confirmed that it is the unique blend of work-based learning with college study that is so attractive to them.
“This vocational route allows trainees to progress within their chosen career as they learn the fundamentals and develop the skills of their trade.
“The college remains one of the largest training providers for apprentices in Scotland with close to 350 apprenticeships at the moment.”
