Survey seeks engineering sector feedback to develop apprenticeships
The views of employers of all sizes across Scotland’s engineering sector are needed to support the development of a new apprenticeship which will meet the skills need of employers.
The design and development of apprenticeships across Scotland are being reviewed and refreshed through a new industry-led approach to ensure skills and qualifications are not only fit for purpose, but also fit for the future.
Individuals and representatives from across the engineering sector have been working to develop the engineering apprenticeship, and SDS via its partner, Enginuity is now seeking feedback on the apprenticeship through an online survey.
The survey will take around 45 minutes to complete and will ask for feedback on the content of the apprenticeship and the skills which are relevant to the apprenticeship.
Anyone with an interest in the engineering apprenticeship should take part in the survey, especially employers, employees or representatives or stakeholders from across the sector e.g. trade bodies, trade unions, awarding bodies and training providers.
The survey can be found by visiting https://bit.ly/EngineeringApprenticeshipSurvey and participants should complete it by 11 October.
Philip Carruthers, Training Coordinator at Doosan, participated in the Technical Expert Group (TEG) to develop the apprenticeship. He said: “Participation in the TEG has been a rewarding experience, meeting with a varied group from across all sectors of engineering activities to develop a new apprenticeship standard and framework.
"The approach of looking at what current work situations are then developing the skills and knowledge requirements has been a novel and refreshing approach. The work carried out by Enginuity in leading the TEG has been professional and well supported by the TEG members.
The TEG group format for reviewing the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship worked incredibly well. To get contrasting aspects on engineering in a room really helped understand what the challenges are throughout the sector.
Scott Caden
Rolls Royce
Scott Caden from Rolls-Royce also supported the development. He said: “The TEG group format for reviewing the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship worked incredibly well in my opinion. To get all those contrasting aspects on engineering in a room really helped understand what the challenges are throughout the sector.
“It also helped bring companies together from a networking point of view. Personally, myself and Rolls-Royce Inchinnan would be delighted to be involved in similar projects, and would recommend this format for reaching out and generating ideas from all aspects of engineering and manufacturing.”
Neil Hardie, Group Service Manager at farm machinery and groundcare equipment supplier Thomas Sherriff & Co Ltd, said: “I have found that the TEG experience has been very beneficial in looking at all aspects of engineering apprenticeships in Scotland and has been key for our business to have a voice in how engineering apprenticeships can be developed to provide us with trained engineers that are suitable for our business needs now and in the future.”