Fife Council Apprentices lay foundation for Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Kicking off Scottish Apprenticeship Week and looking forward to beginning their training are the new Building Services recruits at Fife Council.

The department - the Council's in-house construction company - has an annual intake of 20 apprentices.

The new recruits will be working across a range of trades including joinery, plumbing, electrical, and plastering and their arrival coincides with the first ever Scottish Apprenticeship week (5-9 September).

The week aims to encourage employers to explore the benefits of employing Modern Apprenticeships.

John Rodigan, Building Services Manager said: "There is no greater way to support the community and develop skills for the future than Modern Apprenticeships.

"By making a four year investment in our apprentices with support from Skills Development Scotland, we have developed highly loyal, motivated and well skilled members of staff."

He added: "I would encourage employers considering the programme to take the next step in recruiting an apprentice. Not only will they be investing in someone's future but they will quickly see the benefits to the company in terms of a sustainable workforce."

This year Skills Development Scotland is looking to work with Scottish employers to recruit 25,000 new Modern Apprentices - 5000 more than last year - in a range of over 80 different occupations.

Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland said: "Investment in Modern Apprenticeship can help businesses build more capable, efficient, loyal and motivated workforces - improving productivity today and tomorrow."