Foundation Apprenticeship helps Hayden engineer a bright career path
Teenager Hayden Hunter is on the path to a civil engineering career after helping keep council projects on track during an apprenticeship he took while still at school.
As part of his Foundation Apprenticeship, Hayden took a leading role on a project at West Dunbartonshire Council’s Roads Department managing the design and construction of a new cycle path.
The 17-year-old was initially concerned that his hearing impairment might have an impact when gaining work experience but overcame this with support from the employer and his learning provider, Working4U.
Small adjustments made in the classroom and on site meant Hayden’s confidence grew and he often supported his peers with their work.
Hayden shadowed the supervisor on the design and construction of the path through Leven Grove Park in Dumbarton and observed the building of a salt dome during his 12-week work placement.
The experience cemented his passion for the sector and after school he progressed on to an HND in Civil Engineering at Glasgow Kelvin College and hopes to secure a Graduate Apprenticeship in environmental engineering.
Hayden of Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, said: “Doing the Foundation Apprenticeship has definitely boosted my confidence. I went into it terrified of public speaking, but we did presentations so often that it helped me overcome that.
“It gave me the hands-on experience that I needed, improved my creativity and problem-solving skills and meant I had plenty to talk about in my HND interview.”
He added: “Being involved in the cycle path project was really cool as you feel part of something that’s going to last a long time.”
Hayden decided to go for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering – the equivalent of a Higher – following conversations with a careers adviser and a member of the employability service Working4U.
The former Vale of Leven Academy pupil already had Highers in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Spanish and studied Higher English alongside his apprenticeship in S6.
His passion for engineering was sparked when he took part in an Engineering Scholars programme at the University of Strathclyde in S5.
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.
West Dunbartonshire Council Working4U Officer and Foundation Apprenticeship Mentor Stephen Knox said: “Apprenticeships are a great way to create a talent pipeline, avoid skills shortages and inspire the next generation of your workforce.
“Hayden had a real desire to succeed and stood out for his positive mindset.
“On site he was always keen to learn, asked lots of questions and was very engaged with what he was doing.
“He is living proof of how a Foundation Apprenticeship can help young people progress and it clearly cemented his ambition to pursue a career in civil engineering.”
Hayden’s achievements have led to him being a finalist in the Foundation Apprentice of the Year category at this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in association with SP Energy Networks.
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.