Lloyds Banking Group Recruiting 150 Apprentices in Scotland

Lloyds Banking Group says it is creating 150 new apprenticeships in Scotland including 45 new training posts in Tayside and Fife.

The part-taxpayer-owned bank said the bulk of the new roles — including 30 in Dundee and a further 15 in Dunfermline — will be added in its telephone banking division.

The remainder of the new posts will be created in group operations and in Bank of Scotland and those opportunities will be spread across the country.

The move came as Scottish Apprenticeship Week began in earnest.

Robin Bulloch, deputy chairman of Lloyds Banking Group’s Scottish Executive Committee, said he was delighted the bank was able to offer a helping hand for some young Scots looking for work.

“Building people’s skills and aspirations can make a real impact in tackling youth employment by providing many young people with that crucial first step on the employment ladder.

“Lloyds Banking Group is Scotland’s largest financial services employer and this announcement demonstrates our continuing commitment to invest in Scotland.”

READMORE

Engineering Apprenticeship Opportunities with Plexus

Plexus has a long and successful history in the Electronics Manufacturing Services Industry in the Scottish Borders and offers many services to our customers including product design and manufacturing.

At Plexus they recognise the contribution of their employees and encourage them to use their talents to achieve success. They also believe in providing a wide range of training and development to enable their employees to achieve their objectives.

Plexus are now looking for two bright, enthusiastic people who would be interested in undertaking an Engineering Apprenticeship with them commencing in August of this year. Apply now!

EcoPod clinched multi-million pound deal and provides apprenticeship opportunities in Glasgow

AN ENERGY-SAVING heating system, which is designed to alleviate fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions in high-rise tower blocks, has landed a multi-million pound contract in Scotland.

The EcoPod, which was designed by Keith Rimmer, managing director of the Warrington-based Belfry Group, has secured its first major order in Scotland after agreeing a deal to supply its system to a Glasgow housing association.

The systems will supply heating and hot water to 542 multi-storey homes let by the Queens Cross Housing Association in the Woodside area of Glasgow, with residents set to see a 40% reduction in their heating bills as part of a drive to tackle fuel poverty.

The deal is for seven EcoPods and, in addition to cutting fuel bills, the new systems will also help to dramatically reduce each building’s carbon footprint.

The EcoPod project will also boost employment in the area by providing apprenticeships for around 10 local 16-19-year-olds....READ MORE

Cisco to Launch IT skills apprenticeship scheme

COMPUTING giant Cisco is preparing to launch an apprenticeship scheme for hundreds of budding network technicians after a new report highlighted rising demand in the IT sector.

Ian Foddering, chief technology officer at Cisco UK, told The Scotsman that he will recruit “a couple of hundred” apprentices for the scheme, which will be launched later this month.

Under the programme – which comes on top of Cisco’s existing internal apprenticeship scheme, which has 18 participants – trainees will receive Cisco network associate accreditation, which Foddering said would help them to find IT jobs. READ MORE

4th Year Apprentice wanted at Philips

Philips are currently looking for a 4th year Apprentice Engineer or a newly qualified fitter to join their team to support the production of SOX Lamps.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with machinery within the Sodium Lamp Manufacture, from rotary machinery with conventional mechanical can driven systems dating from 1960s to state of the art Robotic Systems with PLC Controls.

Their Lighting sector is dedicated to introducing innovative end-user-driven and energy-efficient solutions and applications for lighting, based on a thorough understanding of the customer needs, both in public and private context.

For further information about this apprenticeship or to apply, please CLICK HERE

Apprenticeship Opportunity in Biggar, South Lanarkshire

BRIGHT sparks have the chance to gain an apprenticeship place at Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) in Biggar.

The UK’s second largest energy company wants people seeking to become the country’s next generation of power workers.

SSE technical training manager Gary Hamilton, who runs the company’s apprenticeship scheme, said: “Our schemes are a tremendous success with over 600 successfully graduating through our programme since 2007.

“Plus, with our dedication to continued professional development, many of our apprentices have climbed the ladder to achieve senior management positions.

“Apprenticeship schemes can really open the doors to a successful career. I encourage anyone who meets the criteria and is looking for a challenging and rewarding career to apply.”

The closing date for applications is March 17. To apply CLICK HERE

Bussinesses, Schools and Government join forces to remove barriers to youth employment as Barclays launches LifeSkills

Barclays launches LifeSkills, an education programme and work experience matching service that aims to reach one million young people by 2015.

50,000 work experience opportunities to be offered in 2013 working with employers such as Barclays, Waitrose, Centrica and ISS, as well as Government backed careers platform, plotr.

LifeSkills Ambassadors Karren Brady, Jameela Jamil, Colin Jackson and Thea Green issue Let’s Go to Work call to inspire business, schools, young people and the Government to work together.

Barclays is today calling on business, schools and government to work together to remove the barriers young people face in moving from school to work with a launch of a major new programme LifeSkills. This curriculum linked education programme aims by 2015 to equip one million young people with the skills they need for work and connect them with work experience opportunities.

The programme will give teachers access to a range of free resources designed to develop the skills employers most seek in young people covering topics such as writing a CV, managing money, and building self-confidence. After completing the modules in class or online, teachers can then match students to local work experience.

During 2013 LifeSkills aim is to make 50,000 work experience opportunities available. Barclays will provide at least 6,000 opportunities and is encouraging businesses of all sizes across the UK to get involved. Waitrose, Centrica, ISS and McDonald’s will be working together with Barclays on LifeSkills to help unlock work experience opportunities for 14-16 year olds...READ MORE

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Enterprise Apprenticeship Recruitment

Scotland’s only dedicated national youth opportunities network ‘Apprenticeships in Scotland’ is recruiting for a new Business Enterprise apprentice to join their existing small team in Fife. The initiative helps young people to take a lead in their own labour market and  work in close partnership with employers and training providers .

The initiative in now in receipt of support from Fife Council as part of their culture of enterprise plans.

New Enterprise Apprentices are due to start in March after the second interviews have taken place in late February. Find out more about Enterprise Apprenticeships by clicking here.

Keep up to date with Apprenticeships in Scotland by signing up to our Network Update and/or our Friday Update which can be found on the homepage of our website.

Alternatively, call one of our apprentices to find out more! Contact details can be found on www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com

BAE Systems Announce Largest Apprentice Intake in 5 Years

"We plan to recruit 387 engineering and business apprentices across our UK businesses in 2013 – the highest intake since 2008 – and 60 more than the Company recruited in 2012."

GROWING DEMANDThe announcement comes as Prime Minister David Cameron continues to urge businesses across the country to take on apprentices to stimulate economic growth through manufacturing, exports and infrastructure. The expansion of BAE Systems' 2013 apprentice recruitment programme is testament to the vital role apprentices play in the Company coupled with the growing demand among young people for viable alternatives to university. Almost 10 per cent of the new recruits will join the five-year Higher Apprentice Programme which combines invaluable on-the-job training with the opportunity to  study degree-level qualifications, free from tuition fees. READ MORE

Historic Opportunities in Traditional Skills

Traditional Skills Apprenticeships

Historic Scotland are offering an exciting range of Apprenticeships within the heritage sector, working for Historic Scotland to protect, maintain and support Scotland’s historic environment.

Young people taking part in the Apprenticeships will study for vocational qualifications while gaining professional experience working for Historic Scotland. There are three apprenticeship frameworks available, Stonemasonary, Electrician and Joinery.

The apprenticeships are available at various locations across the country.

For full details regarding these opportunities, please visit the Apprenticeships in Scotland Website and the Historic Scotland Recruitment pages.

For an insight into being an apprentice stonemason, check out the story of 2nd year apprentice Carolann on the Young Scot Extra website or watch Young Scot Heritage Award Winner John Crawford share his apprenticeship.

Closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday 15th February 

Fantastic IT Opportunities with Sky in Livingston

Sky are now looking to increase their workforce by bringing on more new Apprentices than ever. This is your chance to be a part of one of Sky's exciting Apprenticeship programmes. If you're bright and ambitious, there's never been a better time to join Sky.

This is an exciting way to gain valuable work experience, leading to a professional qualification (Diploma in ICT Professional Competence) and take your passion for broadcast and technology to the next level. Broadcast Services supports the 'On Demand' platform and the development of their electronic programming guide - this apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to rotate through the applications they support and experience the business areas they service. You'll also have the chance to use some of your other IT skills by working on some software development.

As well as fantastic training and development, you'll receive a competitive salary and amazing benefits. These include free Sky+ HD TV with top tier viewing package, free Sky Broadband and discounted telephone, generous holiday entitlements, and lots of other important stuff like pension scheme, life insurance and health care.

For further information on these apprenticeships and working for Sky, CLICK HERE

£800k for "Stepping Up" Scottish Film and TV Industry

Good news for the New Year in Scotland with the launch in January of a new career development

A New Skills and Training Scheme, Stepping Up, creating 28 training placements in Scotland's Film and TV Industry, was launched in January.

The new Creative Skillset Drama Training Programme will create 20 Stepping Up drama placements in key craft and technical disciplines, nurturing Scotland’s existing creative talent and helping them to ‘step-up’ to more senior roles. It will build upon a scheme running since 2010, training producers and script editors, and enable this valuable workforce development work to be extended.

The aim of the programme is to build the number and quality of film and TV crews in Scotland to support production and address skills gaps. As well as the 20 Stepping Up drama placements, the new funding will create eight Stepping Up factual placements delivered through the BBC and new traineeships for Script Editors and Producers.

Alasdair Smith, Scotland Director, Creative Skillset, said: “It is vital to support the development of producers, executives and executive producers now in order to meet the expected growth in Scottish comedy and drama production. We have already seen major growth in this industry, which has created an urgent need for skilled TV drama production staff. This programme will create an environment where the next generation of Scotland’s creative leaders can flourish, attracting top class production talent and giving them real and valuable on-the-job training to address their skills gaps”.

Funded by a partnership of Creative Skillset, BBC Scotland, Creative Scotland, BECTU, Skills Development Scotland and the European Social Fund, via Scotland’s Trade Union Centre (STUC), the programme offers new training opportunities for freelancers in TV & film in Scotland. Financial support has also been received from a number of Scottish-based independent production companies.

Attendees at the launch, held at Glasgow-based BBC Scotland, heard from Lizzie Gray who successfully completed the trainee producer scheme in 2010 and has since gone on to become producer for the hugely successful drama, Waterloo Road.

Lizzie said: “The Producer Training and the Producer Internship have been invaluable in my career progression. Through both I have filled knowledge and skills gaps, gained practical experience and made key industry contacts”.

Applications are now open:

Applications will be invited for up to two Script Editor trainees and four Trainee Producers later in 2013.

Caroline Parkinson, Director, Creative Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in developing this programme in conjunction with the TV Working Group and with our partners. This will support professional freelancers to enhance their range of skills, to enable them to progress in their careers and to bring their valuable talent to the independent production industry and broadcasters”.

Gordon McGuiness, Head of Industry and Enterprise at Skills Development Scotland, added: “This exciting programme will help provide opportunities and enhance skills to support Scotland’s vibrant, competitive and sustainable screen industry. It will foster Scottish talent and we are pleased to offer our support”.

Alison Goring, Drama Talent Manager , BECTU, said "Stepping Up is a really exciting and innovative model of training for craft, technical and production crew who are already established and experienced in the film & TV industry. We hope that through this opportunity people will be able to have some time and space to gain the skills and experience they need to move up to the next level, supported by industry mentors. Scotland already has a very strong talent base and we want to ensure a vibrant future for that talent and the creative screen industries in Scotland”.

Further information including the application guidelines and application form will be available from the BECTU website READ MORE

Historic Apprenticeships available today!

Historic Scotland are currently recruiting for 16 Modern Apprenticeships across Scotland. As well as joinery and electrician apprenticeships, Historic Scotland is well known as the nation’s biggest employer of stonemasonry apprentices. 

There are no fewer than 13 stonemasonry apprenticeship opportunities being advertised at locations across the country. 

Shannen Scott, a Youth Opportunities Apprentice with Apprenticeships in Scotland is helping with the recruitment. “These opportunities are great news. We have thousands of young people registered with us. We know that these practical crafts are in much demand and working with Historic Scotland is a great start for a young person”. 

You can find out more about the opportunities on the www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com website. Closing date is Friday 15^th February 2013.

Microsoft To Employ 2000 New Scottish Apprentices

 

 

Microsoft has pledged to take on more than 2000 apprentices in Scotland over the next three years.

The computing giant said it will work with its 1500 partner companies in Scotland to recruit 2016 16 to 24-year-olds as IT apprentices by the year 2016.The announcement means the number of apprentices it takes on each year in Scotland will more or less double.

Microsoft UK managing director Michel Van der Bel made the announcement during a meeting with First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Van der Bel said: "The digital technologies industry employs over 100,000 people in Scotland and is expanding fast.

"At Microsoft we want to help ensure there are skilled people coming into the workplace to secure the future for the sector.

"That's why we are announcing our commitment to create 2016 apprenticeships in Scotland by 2016 by partnering with the Scottish Government and our training providers QA and YouTrain.

"These are real jobs for young people in a vibrant, growing and exciting industry, which will help bring economic and employment opportunities."

Mr Salmond welcomed the announcement, which he said was a huge endorsement of Scotland's young people.

He said: "This is a terrific announcement both for the thousands of individual young people who will be given a fantastic career opportunity and for Scotland's Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme.

"Over the next three years Microsoft and its partner companies will recruit…READMORE

Employment Fayre on Monday

MSP Kenneth Gibson will host a North Ayrshire Employment Fayre which will be the first of its kind in the West of Scotland.

More than 60 organisations including private companies, voluntary sector, recruitment agencies, educational institutions the NHS and North Ayrshire Council will participate, providing details of employment vacancies, apprenticeships, training, career advice, educational and volunteering opportunities.

Although the event is aimed at people of all age groups, Angela Constance MSP, Minister for Youth Employment will speak with exhibitors and attendees alike.

Commenting, Kenneth Gibson MSP said: "It is no secret that North Ayrshire suffers from high levels of unemployment

"The Scottish Government is committed to tackling unemployment in North Ayrshire and I have invited a cross-section of representatives from public and private enterprise, alongside voluntary organisation and educational institutions, to highlight options and opportunities available to people young and not so young who may be unemployed, at school, college or simply looking to change career...READ MORE

Fife Youth Job Contract Gets Employer Boost

A major three year programme to tackle Youth Unemployment was issued in Fife and was approved In December. 

The investment, worth £5 million, aims to support 16 to 24 year olds into apprenticeships.

The three year programme presents an opportunity to make a significant and lasting difference to the young people in Fife by creating between 500 and 600 programme places working with the private, public, voluntary sectors and Fife Council.

A Programme Implementation Board will be formed to ensure effective engagement with employers and stakeholders.  The Board will be chaired by Councillor Tony Martin, the recently appointed Youth Employment Ambassador for Fife Council.  Board members will consist of representatives from Skills Development Scotland, Fife’s colleges, Fife NHS, Fife Chamber of Commerce, The Federation of Small Business, the Department of Work & Pensions, the Voluntary sector and key services in Fife Council.

Councillor Tony Martin said: “This programme will address issues of youth unemployment in Fife on a large scale, providing a robust vehicle for delivery through the strong partnership approaches in Fife.  We aim to deliver programme interventions with clear leadership at the heart of it to prevent the loss of young talent in Fife."

Havelock Europa, the Alternative Investment Market-listed interiors manufacturer, has signalled its return to health with the establishment of a "Havelock Academy" apprenticeship scheme.

Havelock employs some 450 people in Fife, split between its Dalgety Bay headquarters, its factory in Kirkcaldy and warehouses at Dysart. It says the new scheme, offering modern apprenticeships to school-leavers and others, is an investment in the firm's future in Fife.

The announcement came as Havelock unveiled a positive trading statement suggesting it would return to profitability this year after rationalising the business and slashing debt.

Eric Prescott, chief executive, said: "This is an ambitious project and one about which I am personally passionate.

"We will provide up to 20 academy places, leading to 12 apprenticeships in Fife.

"The Havelock Academy is a way of passing on skills and experience to the next generation and, more than that, it is about planning for the future for all of us.

"This programme is in addition to the 17 recent new appointments at our factory in Kirkcaldy." READ MORE

To keep up to date with the latest jobs in Fife CLICK HERE
To view the Havelock Apprenticeship Scheme on Apprenticeships in Scotland.com CLICK HERE

The Young Innovators Challenge Inspires Scotland's Youth

BUDDING young entrepreneurs in Scotland are being given the chance to get ahead in a unique business start-up competition with a £300,000 prize fund.

The Young Innovators Challenge – run by Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) on behalf of the Scottish Government – is a national competition which will challenge18-24 year olds to come up with solutions to a range of issues currently facing Scotland’s key industries. 

To get the creative juices flowing those looking to enter are encouraged to sign up for one of four Challenge Labs taking place in Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in February which will give them the best chance possible of winning one of the six cash prizes up for grabs.

During the Challenge Labs participants will view videos explaining each of the industry challenges being set by industry leaders. The sessions will also offer...READ MORE

10 Network Rail Apprentices are Sought

There are around 240 places available on the 2013 Network Rail advanced apprenticeship scheme, 10 of which are based in Scoland, and chief executive David Higgins wants parents, educators and young people alike to realise the future career opportunities that an apprenticeship can bring, including a university education at work.

“There are many paths to achieve a successful career” says Higgins. Whether you join straight from school or after college or work, the apprenticeship programme can be the first step to a challenging career.

An apprenticeship can also open doors to a university education. Whilst many apprentices go on to be team leaders and rise through the ranks, Network Rail also helps those who want to achieve further qualifications the chance to study part-time for a Higher National Certificate in engineering and then onto a foundation degree and a bachelors at Sheffield Hallam University. To read more on Network Rail's recruitment, CLICK HERE.

Fantastic New Initiative in Scotland - Youth With Hope

"Youth With Hope" is a not-for-profit equal opportunities initiative that motivates and inspires organisations of all capacities to play their part in addressing the needs and aspirations of the youth.

“Youth With Hope” is a very ambitious and yet very achievable campaign that has been launched in Scotland with the support of many business leaders who transcend all shades of ideological perspectives. This innovative initiative aims to address the corrosive problem of unemployment amongst our young people.
Apprenticeships in Scotland fully supports this and thinks all organisations should get involved to make this a success and improve youth employment! Your co-operation and support is central to the success of this campaign which is designed to ensure that our young people do not perceive themselves as irrelevant to society but as valued contributors who can offer fresh insight and new energy.

Private enterprise working together to bring hope and employment to thousands of young people would be a great start to the New Year!

Every business taking on a young person and wishing to be part of this campaign will be added to their hall of fame on their website as well as receiving a gold “H” Lapel badge. “Youth With Hope” have a goal to have every managing director in the UK wearing a gold “H”. If you require any further information please visit the “Youth With Hope” website.

Apex Hotels Launches Modern Apprenticeship Training Programme

Apex Hotels has launched the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme and is calling on school on college leavers from Edinburgh and Dundee to work in its properties in these areas as their first step on the hospitality ladder.

The Hotel group is going to take on these apprentices and teach them about all aspects of the hotel business and is a great opportunity for young people interested in Hospitality. READ MORE