Education Secretary sees Zoey (21), begin her joinery career
during Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Michael Russell MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, today
congratulated Zoey Rennie (21) on completing a Modern
Apprenticeship in joinery and embarking on a career with Moray
Council.
The Cabinet Secretary made the visit as part of Scottish
Apprenticeship Week (5 - 9 September), which aims to help employers
across Scotland better understand the benefits of taking on an MA
and how to get support from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in
doing so.
Mr Russell commented: "Zoey is a great example of a young person
who has followed the Modern Apprenticeship route to a successful
conclusion - to the benefit of both her own future career prospects
and her employer.
"Zoey is a fantastic young person who got interested in joinery
at an early age and qualifying as a Modern Apprentice has helped
her fulfil her dream of working at something she loves. She is a
great credit to her employer and demonstrates the very real benefit
to business of taking on an MA.
"We want to continue working with business to support them and
our young people to the benefit of Scotland's economy."
Farmer's daughter, Zoey, was so set on becoming a joiner she was
tackling woodworking jobs around the farm when she was a child. She
was delighted to be able to start a Modern Apprenticeship with a
local joinery company after leaving school. However, her employer
had to make lay-offs during the downturn, Zoey among them.
She wondered, then, if her career hopes would be dashed, but
thanks to the Adopt an Apprentice programme,
funded by Skills Development Scotland, her recruitment by Moray
Council enabled her to complete her training.
Zoey said: "I'm thrilled this week to have become a qualified
joiner, and to be starting full-time work with Moray Council.
There's a great sense of achievement and of looking forward to a
rewarding and fulfilling career."
SDS operations director, Danny Logue; chair of Moray Council's
Children's and Young People's Committee, Cllr Eric McGillivray and
Construction Skills representative, Gillian Mackenzie, all joined
the Cabinet Secretary in congratulating Zoey.
Cllr McGillivray said that a key Moray Council priority was to
try and retain young people in the area. "Zoey is a great example
of what can be achieved by agencies working together," he said.
"She will be part of a skilled workforce where she will continue
to develop her skills and enjoy a productive career. I hope her
example encourages others to look at the opportunities are
available through such programmes as the Modern Apprentice
scheme."
Skills Development Scotland can help businesses through the
Modern Apprenticeship programme and provide funding incentives such
as the Employer Recruitment Initiative. This can help businesses
access up to £2,000 if they take on a Modern Apprentice who has
previously found it difficult to secure employment or
apprenticeship training.
Employers should call 0800 7836000 or visit www.sds.co.uk/modernapprenticeships
for more information.