Skills Development Scotland’s annual Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2017 is being held this week to celebrate the benefits apprenticeships bring to individuals, businesses and communities across the country, as well as their valuable contribution to the Scottish economy.

A strong advocate of Modern Apprenticeships, Caledonia Housing Association has four Modern Apprentices this year after an exemplary quality of applicants. With a wealth of enthusiastic Modern Apprentices, Caledonia provided an ideal opportunity for MSP Bill Bowman to chat with them in the workplace about their experience.

Bill Bowman said: “I was delighted to visit Caledonia Housing Association at the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week. I particularly welcomed the opportunity to speak with Ellie, Rebecca and Rory about their experiences as modern apprentices and to hear more about their roles within the company. It was also most encouraging to see how Julie and the Association staff support both the Apprentices themselves and the whole ethos of the apprenticeship scheme.

“Apprenticeships are hugely beneficial for the young people involved, their employer and our economy. A modern apprenticeship gives young people additional experience and skills that better prepare them for the world of work; a view that the three apprentices I met at Caledonia Housing Association very much shared.”

Julie Cosgrove, chief executive of Caledonia Housing Association, said: “We are very proud supporters of Modern Apprenticeships here at Caledonia and today is testament to the promise our Modern Apprentices show.

“Scottish Modern Apprentice week is an ideal opportunity to promote the value to both the economy and individuals that apprenticeships provide and reiterate the responsibility of employers and local schools in working together to promote modern apprenticeships as a vital and viable alternative to further education.”

Neil Mason, Quest assessor for Caledonia’s Modern Apprentices, added: “Caledonia Housing have provided an enthusiastic and welcoming settlement for apprentices to learn new skills and boost their confidence while working and earning – very important - and achieving an high quality qualification which helps them in their future careers.

“I think Caledonia and Quest have been very fortunate this year with the quality of the Modern Apprentices and we look forward to continuing to work with them all to the successful conclusion of their apprenticeships later this year.”

During the meeting at Caledonia Housing Association, David Annobil of Skills Development Scotland said: “Worked based learning provides such a competitive edge to Modern Apprentices compared to those that have only been in an education environment. The Apprentices at Caledonia Housing Association are exemplary examples of this and we hope Apprentice week highlights this and encourages more employers and applicants into apprenticeships.”

And last but not least, one of the stars of the day, Rory Milne, business services Modern Apprentice at Caledonia Housing Association, said: “Meeting an MSP isn’t something I imagine I’d have done if I was at College studying. I’m so pleased I applied for a Modern Apprenticeship, the amount I’ve learned outside a classroom is brilliant and I think the skills I’ve learned will last me a lifetime.”