The theme this year is ‘Business Backing Talent’, showcasing the great things that happen when employers back talent through apprenticeships.

Dunfermline-based Campion is one of many local businesses backing talent with apprenticeship programmes in partnership with Fife College.

The housing developer has been working with the College for a number of years now to upskill their workforce, meet skills needs and increase productivity through various apprenticeship programmes.

Donna Park, HR Manager at Campion Homes, said: “Our experience of working with Fife College has been very good. We’ve always worked closely with the College to help us provide our apprentices with the skills needed in the industry.

“Taking on apprentices for us is about helping provide a sustainable future for our sector. It’s vital we keep investing in apprentices to ensure we have highly trained tradespeople coming into the industry.

“It is also a great way of developing talent in our existing workforce too. Often, we will draw on those showing promise who maybe haven’t had the right opportunities before and give them a platform to develop through an apprenticeship.”

One existing member of Campion’s workforce who was given the opportunity to progress through an apprenticeship is Lyle Brewer (26). Previously a labourer with the developer, Lyle was encouraged by his manager at the time to put his name forward for apprenticeship opportunities.

Now in the final year of a Brickwork Modern Apprenticeship, Lyle’s apprenticeship with Campion has seen him work on sites throughout Scotland including Dundee, Inverkeithing and Alloa while gaining valuable skills at Fife College.  

Lyle, from Kirkcaldy, said: “My apprenticeship has given me a great opportunity to get a trade behind me. College has been a good experience and I’ve really enjoyed putting that into practice on different sites across the country. The best part of being on site is working with people though.”

This year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week is promoting the range of support available for employers to back talent through apprenticeships.

This includes additional support for employers and individuals, such as the Apprenticeship Employer Grant and the Adopt an Apprentice programmes, which have been put in place as part of the response to COVID-19 to support apprenticeships.

There are currently over 100 different types of Scottish Apprenticeship covering hundreds of different jobs types including engineering, construction, financial and business services, health and social care, digital technology, tourism and food and drink.