Cheerleader Kaci kick starts a career in food and drink after Foundation Apprenticeship
Taking a Food and Drink Foundation Apprenticeship at school has been the recipe for success for teen Kaci Newall, helping her pass other subjects and land a job.
The 18-year-old, of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, had struggled with her confidence after failing Maths exams twice and was tempted to leave school.
But after chatting to her careers adviser she chose to stay on and complete a Foundation Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Technologies which boosted her confidence and helped her turn things around.
The Stranraer Academy pupil spent two afternoons a week on placement at dairy firm Lactalis UK & Ireland, working across various departments in the factory to gain hands-on experience in food and drink operations.
Kaci overcame her concerns about using maths and science – subjects she struggled with at school – to contribute meaningfully to the business by engaging with a workplace challenge to design new products.
This included carrying out market research, design, costing the products out, running samples and responding to consumer feedback.
The experience showed Kaci how she could apply maths to real world situations, which helped her understand the subject and go on to pass her Nat 5 exam.
Having the Foundation Apprenticeship on her CV also helped her secure a waitressing job at North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer while she trains for the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida, USA in April.
Kaci, who also did Highers in Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS) and Sociology, said: “Doing the Foundation Apprenticeship really boosted my confidence and communication skills because I had to talk to all these different people in a real workplace.
“An apprenticeship showed me that I do have something to offer.
“The Foundation Apprenticeship gave me a real insight into the jobs that are out there and has made me feel proud, confident and positive about my future.”
Foundation Apprenticeships are working for Scotland, providing pupils with the skills employers need and offering industry insight to gain a work-based learning qualification from SCQF Level 4 up to the same level as a Higher.
Kaci’s determination to succeed has led to her being a finalist in the Foundation Apprentice of the Year category at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in association with SP Energy Networks.
SDC-LEARN Chartered Educational Assessor Sarah Dalrymple said: “Kaci is a great example of someone who really benefits from a Foundation Apprenticeship.
“She was quite low when we first met and it took enormous strength of character, but seeing the purpose in her learning changed her thinking completely and showed her that she could succeed in a professional environment.”
Lactalis UK & Ireland HR Manager Hayley Thomson said: “Kaci showed enthusiasm for developing her skills within our manufacturing operations and was really reliable during her Foundation Apprenticeship.
“Apprenticeships work incredibly well for Lactalis, allowing us to nurture local talent, develop skilled individuals who understand our business and build a sustainable pipeline of talent for the years ahead.”
The awards take place on 26 February as the launch event for Scottish Apprenticeship Week (2 to 6 March). Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot/awards.