News / Employers looking for local talent
MORE than 30 secondary two and three pupils from schools across Shetland spent a busy day constructing bridges at Shetland College earlier this week as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Hosted by the Shetland Construction Training Group (SCTG) and led by the isles apprenticeship officer Carrie Ann MacDonald, the event was organised to promote careers in the building and construction industry.
Split into eight teams, pupils were tasked not just to design and build a bridge during the course of a morning, but also to be conscious of the cost, as they had to purchase the materials needed.
Following the construction, all eight bridges were test loaded to destruction by lecturers.
Overall winner for constructing the most cost effective bridge was Brae High School’s team of Jack Garrick, Sam Nicolson, Jake Rendall and James Johnson.
The prize for the best teamwork went Baltasound Junior High School while the team from the Sandwick Junior High School built the bonniest bridge.
SCTG chairman Robert Anderson said construction was far more than “bricks and mortar”, as there were also career paths into quantity surveying, design and engineering available.
Last year, the industry managed to attract 15 apprenticeship joiners, by far the highest number in recent years. They will spend 32 weeks over four years at Shetland College, while the rest of the time will be spent ‘on site’ working for their employers.
Apprentices in other trades such as bricklayers or plant operators are required to do course work at colleges on the mainland.
Anderson said it was well worth considering a career in the local construction industry: “Companies in Shetland are looking to the future and want to see young people joining the businesses.
“Construction in Shetland has not had the recession experienced on the UK mainland. When the SIC started cutting back in 2008 private industry stepped up to fill the gap.
“It is perhaps not as buoyant at the moment but contractors are still being kept busy,” he said.
A joiner by trade, Carrie Ann MacDonald became the local apprenticeship officer five years ago.
Employed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), she regularly visits schools to talk to pupils about the advantages of learning a trade rather than choosing an unskilled job.
“An apprenticeship in the construction industry sets you up for life,” she said. “There are many careers possible, and it is one of the few sectors where you start at the bottom and can get right to the top.”
Meanwhile, Loganair is also looking to Shetland to attract some “high-flying” apprentices in a bid to address a shortage in qualified aviation engineers.
Loganair’s head of engineering standards Craig Stewart said: “We wish to create a sustainable MA that meets the needs of our industry, but also to improve awareness of aviation engineering as a career path for our high-achieving school leavers who are undecided as to whether they should attend university or seek an apprenticeship.
“On qualification, after completing the four-year course, and in their early 20s, our graduates will be earning salaries of £40,000 plus.”
Only last week, local apprentices Jakob Eunson and John Blance were recognised for their achievements in their respective industries of farming and aquaculture.
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said: “Modern apprenticeships are an excellent way for local employers to help develop local talent, especially in industries that might otherwise find it harder to attract new or younger people.”
For more information about a apprenticeship in the local construction industry contact carrieann.macdonald@citb.co.uk or visit the Shetland Construction Training Group’s website at http://shetctg.co.uk
Further information about aviation engineering apprenticeships will be made available through schools in April and May. Loganair can be contacted using this e-mail address: recruitment@loganair.co.uk
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