WE have reached Day 4 of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, and the success stories of our employees who are in training or education keep coming thick and fast.
Today, we hear from Nicolas Serra and Alexander Forbes.
Age
38
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I make “dad jokes” that only my kids laugh at.
What course are you doing?
BSc (Hons) Construction Management – in my final year.
Do you enjoy earning while learning?
It’s the best combination when you have a family to be provided with good learning and financial support.
Why did you choose this course?
I used to be a dry-liner in France and then a croupier in a casino. But I had no job satisfaction, so I decided to try something a little bit more challenging, and construction offered that.
Do you have a good network of support at work to ensure you reach your full potential?
Yes. The support is there when required but the company also allows you to take your own initiative.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Project management.
Is there anything else we can support you with?
This final year is difficult and challenging, especially for a mature student with home learning and it’s sometimes difficult to switch off when required.
Age
19
Tell us a fun fact about you.
My eyes are a different shade of green from each other. It’s a rare condition known as heterochromia idris
What course are you doing?
Digital Application Support.
Do you enjoy earning while learning?
I fully enjoy undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship, as I like that I can combine textbook knowledge with valuable industry experience. I feel that this gives me a competitive advantage and bolsters my career path.
Why did you choose this course?
I took this course so as to apply and hone the skills and knowledge I garnered while studying an HNC in Administration & IT. I feel that I have learned a lot through undertaking this apprenticeship.
Do you have a good network of support at work to ensure you reach your full potential?
The level of support at work is more than ample. There isn’t a day that passes in which I’m not challenged and in need of support from a senior colleague and the upper staff are always happy to provide insight wherever I seek it.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Further down the line, I would like to apply my skills in the capacity of an Accounts Assistant, as I really enjoyed Accountancy units at college. This is something that I have discussed with the Managing Director and we are both excited to explore this eventuality.
Is there anything else we can support you with?
The current level of support is more than sufficient.
The theme of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which runs from March 1 to 5, is “Business Backing Talent”, and we hope to inspire others by putting the spotlight on the achievements and experiences of our staff and demonstrating the benefits of our organisation supporting them.
Coinciding with Scottish Apprenticeship Week is the Build Your Future initiative, which provides a suite of virtual resources to help people develop their careers in the built environment and to drive the Scottish government’s Develop the Young Workforce strategy to reduce youth unemployment by 40 per cent.
As dynamic and progressive employers, Procast know that it has never been more important to show our support for apprenticeships and traineeships, and, like many other businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have developed new and safe ways to recruit staff in our commitment to backing talent.
Needless to say, the Scottish government and Skills Development Scotland are fully behind all the channels being deployed to show the benefits of employing apprentices and supporting other employees in career development via training and education.
Build Your Future is also being used to raise the profile of International Women’s Day on March 8.
As Scottish Apprenticeship Week is the time for all those in Scotland benefiting from apprenticeships to join together and share their stories to encourage others to get involved, we are delighted to showcase the talent we are nurturing.
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