Last week was Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which is a nationwide celebration of apprenticeships, and the DYW Orkney team were busy promoting the benefits work-based learning brings to businesses and individuals.

School pupils undertaking a Skills for Work Construction course were recently visited by two local employers who spoke to them about their businesses and the opportunities that exist locally in the construction industry.

Stephen Kemp from Orkney Builders (Contractors) Ltd. and Martin Flett from Alfred Flett Ltd. both came to UHI Orkney to speak to pupils from local secondary schools.  Pupils were given an overview of the businesses, the variety of work they undertake, some of the different roles within the business and the opportunities to undertake work experience to get a taste of working in the construction industry.  They also spoke about apprenticeship opportunities and explained how young people would be supported to become fully qualified tradespeople.

Alfred Flett Ltd. are currently recruiting for apprenticeship vacancies in their business, including for an Apprentice Joiner.  If anyone is interested in this opportunity they can contact Colin or Magnus on (01856) 781 209, or by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. 

A marketplace event to showcase the variety of apprenticeships available in Orkney was held at Kirkwall Grammar School during Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
 
Scottish Apprenticeship Week is an annual campaign which celebrates apprenticeships and promotes the benefits of work-based learning.  This year’s campaign focused on ‘Skills Generation’ and aimed to show the high quality opportunities an apprenticeship can offer.

Are you a parent or carer supporting a child to make their senior phase option choices?

Skills Development Scotland and National Parent Forum Scotland are hosting a joint webinar to help you learn more about how your child can get a head-start on their career with a Foundation Apprenticeship.

This session will be held on Thursday 22 February 2024 between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.  It is aimed at parents or carers whose child is making subject choices for S5 and S6.  At this session you will:

• Find out how Foundation Apprenticeships work and where they can lead to – from a Modern or Graduate Apprenticeship to college, university, or employment.
• Hear parent and teacher perspectives of the benefits of Foundation Apprenticeships as they share their own experiences and advice.
• Get information on support available and how to apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.

To support accessibility, this webinar will be recorded and British Sign Language translation available.

Find out more and sign up for the webinar here.

​An event showcasing the variety of careers available in the construction industry was recently held in the Orkney Auction Mart.

​Organised by Orkney Construction Training Group (OCTG) and supported by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the Construction Careers Event was developed to showcase the different trades available, highlighting the variety of skills that are needed across the industry.

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney are currently recruiting for a Modern Apprentice Administrative Assistant to join our team.

The successful candidate will be supported to complete a Modern Apprenticeship in Business and Administration at Orkney College UHI (read more here).  This is a fantastic opportunity for someone aged between 16 and 24 years - or 29 years if you are care experienced or disabled – who is looking to gain qualifications alongside working and earning a salary.

Until recently, the Administrative Assistant post was held by Andy Tait, who successfully completed his SVQ 2 and SVQ 3 Business and Administration qualifications during his time with DYW Orkney.  You can read more about Andy’s journey with us below:

An exciting opportunity is currently available for anyone who is interested in developing their skills and knowledge while working.

Orkney Islands Council (OIC) are offering a range of trainee and apprenticeship opportunities which would be suitable for a recent school or college leaver, a recent graduate or anyone looking for a new opportunity.

A series of lunchtime speakers has been running at Stromness Academy since the start of this term, giving pupils the chance to access careers information directly from employers.

Held every two weeks and organised by the school’s DYW School Co-ordinator, Lunch with an Employer lets pupils hear from local employers about the job opportunities available with their businesses, discover some of the pathways available into careers and also learn about the subjects they should study at school or skills they might need to work in the business.

This term has included speakers from NOV on Flotta and Casey Construction.

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.