Are you a parent or carer who would like to learn more about apprenticeships and how they can support your child to develop skills and gain a qualification, while working?
 
As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Skills Development Scotland are hosting a webinar for parents and carers to help them learn how an apprenticeship can open the door on a wide range of carers.
 
The webinar will be held on Thursday 10 March, 6.30pm-7.15pm and at it you will hear from Careers Advisers about Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships.
 
To learn more and reserve your space, click here.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2022 starts next Monday (7 March) and we will be supporting it to show the value of Scottish Apprenticeships to people, business and the economy.

This year’s theme is Apprenticeships Work, which aims to highlight how apprenticeships are providing the skills employers need now and for the future.

​Scottish Apprenticeships work by providing thousands of opportunities to get a job, get paid and get qualified across Scotland every year.

Third year pupils at Stromness Academy have recently enjoyed a week of activities during the school’s annual Careers Week.

A part of the school calendar since 2019, Careers Week was developed to support pupils in S3, who will shortly be making their subject choices for their fourth year, which can influence where they will end up after school.

An exciting opportunity is currently being offered to local people to undertake an Oil and Gas Technical Apprenticeship at the Flotta Oil Terminal.

This is a chance to take part in the Oil and Gas Technical Apprenticeship Programme (OGTAP), which is one of the most successful in the country with a 96% employment rate on completion of the scheme

Young people across Orkney who need help applying for jobs, apprenticeships or college courses can access support from a new programme created by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney and Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

​The ‘Planning for the Future’ career management programme is free and includes resources that young people can use if they need help writing a CV, applying for a college course, apprenticeship or job or preparing for an interview.

As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we are helping you understand more about the apprenticeship framework in Scotland.  There are three levels of apprenticeship, Foundation, Modern and Graduate.  Today we are focusing on Graduate Apprenticeships.

As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we are helping you understand more about the apprenticeship framework in Scotland.  There are three levels of apprenticeship, Foundation, Modern and Graduate.  Today we are focusing on Modern Apprenticeships.

As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we are helping you understand more about the apprenticeship framework in Scotland.  There are three levels of apprenticeship, Foundation, Modern and Graduate.  Today we are focusing on Foundation Apprenticeships.

Heriot-Watt University are hosting a series of open forums next week (Monday 1 - Friday 5 March) to help employers and prospective Graduate Apprentices learn more about the benefits that a Graduate Apprenticeship can bring.

These events may be of interest to people or businesses based in Orkney, as Heriot-Watt University will be offering their Graduate Apprenticeship programme online this year, meaning people can undertake this qualification while working and living in Orkney.

Are you a local employer who would like to learn more about apprenticeships and the benefits they can offer your business?

​Developing the Young Workforce are working in partnership with Skills Development Scotland to host a national online event for employers.

​This event will provide employers of all sizes with the latest information about apprenticeships, current funding support and practical advice on how to take on an apprentice - whether a new recruit or upskilling an existing employee.

​Are you currently considering your next steps into education, employment or training but need some extra help?  Developing the Young Workforce Orkney and Skills Development Scotland have developed an online careers event to help you make decisions about your future.
 
The ‘Your Next Steps’ careers event provides information and advice on Work, Support and, Education and Training.  You will find a mix of videos, presentations and links to other websites to help you take your next step.

This week’s Sector Spotlight is focusing on the Construction Industry.  Today, we hear from Jacqueline Argo, who is the Apprenticeships Officer for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Jacqueline started her career as an Office Junior before becoming an Accounts Assistant.  She then became Office Manager for a construction company, and moved into her current role 12 years ago.

This week’s Sector Spotlight is on the Construction Industry.  Today we hear from Andrew Harvey, who is an Apprentice Wood Machinist with R Clouston Ltd.

​Andrew began his apprenticeship straight from school and is currently in his second year.

Our Sector Spotlight campaign returns for the summer and we begin by focusing on the Energy Industry.  Today, we hear from John Corsie, who is a Production Technician with Repsol Sinopec Resources UK.
 
After leaving school, John undertook and completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Refrigeration, Air Conditions and Heat Pump systems with local business Steven R Paterson.  He then felt ready for a career change and was successful in applying for the OPITO Modern Apprenticeship Scheme, securing one of four spaces available on Flotta.  Following the completion of his apprenticeship, he was offered a full-time position with Respol Sinopec Resources UK on Flotta.

As part of Scottish Apprenticeships Week we have shared the experiences of those currently undertaking an apprenticeship, but what happens once your apprenticeship is finished?
​
Orkney Construction Training Group (OCTG) have allowed us to share a video they have made which focuses on apprentices moving on in their career - see the below from the OCTG.

In the final of their series of interviews for Scottish Apprenticeships Week, BBC Radio Orkney have heard from a local woman who is undertaking a Graduate Apprenticeship.
 
Anja Hall is currently undertaking a Graduate Apprenticeship in Business Administration through Robert Gordon University.  She is employed by Orkney Distilling Limited, where she works full-time while studying for her degree.

​In the second of their interviews celebrating Scottish Apprenticeships Week, BBC Radio Orkney have spoken to two members of staff from NHS Orkney about their Modern Apprenticeships.
 
NHS Orkney offer two different types of Modern Apprenticeships, the first is clinical and covers areas such as wards, out patients and day surgery, while the non-clinical apprenticeship focuses on careers in administration, estates, finance and IT.

​To celebrate Scottish Apprenticeships Week, we are highlighting the diversity that makes work-based learning good for individuals, employers and the economy.
 
Throughout the week, BBC Radio Orkney are featuring interviews with local people who are undertaking apprenticeships along with their employers, who are supporting them through the qualification.

​Next week is Scottish Apprenticeships Week, which celebrates the diversity that makes work-based learning good for individuals, employers and the economy.
 
This year’s campaign theme is ‘Talent Without Limits’ and we want to use the week to challenge the stereotypical view of apprenticeships and highlight the diverse range of apprenticeships that exist in Orkney.

Are you a current, or past apprentice?  Want to share your success story, tell others that university is not the only way and share the benefits of choosing an apprenticeship?  Then join Scotland’s Apprentice Network.

​A really great opportunity is currently available for someone to join Marine Scotland as a Modern Apprentice Assistant Fishery Officer.
 
This vacancy, which will be based in Kirkwall, offers the successful applicant an opportunity to gain on-the-job training and qualifications, with the opportunity to progress further within the organisation once they have completed their Modern Apprenticeship.  As well as providing administrative support to the rest of the team, there will be an opportunity to assist the Senior Fishery Officer/Fishery Officer with inspection duties on the pier and on board fishing vessels.

The Orkney and Shetland Valuation Joint Board are offering an exciting opportunity for someone to join them as a Graduate Apprentice.

A Graduate Apprenticeship gives the successful applicant a chance to study for an Honours Degree while in paid full-time employment.

The vacancy is for a Valuer to join the team in Orkney, and is being offered in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and Skills Development Scotland.  The successful applicant will be supported to complete a BSc (Hons) Construction and Built Environment through block release study at Edinburgh Napier University, starting in August 2019.

This is a really exciting opportunity for someone to gain a degree while continuing to live and work in Orkney.

For more details about the vacancy and details of where to apply, visit apprenticeships.scot.

Local employers are invited to book their place at an event that will help them learn more about recruiting apprentices and attracting young people to their workforce.

​Hosted by Remarkable, on behalf of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce Orkney, this will be an opportunity for local employers to hear from some of the organisations who can help them recruit young people into their business and learn more about accessing the opportunities available to develop new or existing employees.

An Orkney and Apprenticeships: Skills for the Future information event was held at Orkney College UHI on Wednesday 6 March 2019 to help young people, parents and carers learn more about the different apprenticeships available in Orkney and understand the opportunities they offer for progression in a career.