‘Made for Business’ campaign puts the spotlight on apprenticeships

Employers, schools, learning providers, local authorities and industry organisations will host hundreds of activities and events to support Scottish Apprenticeship Week, from 3 to 7 March. 

The theme for the campaign is ‘Made for Business’, with the aim to show that Scottish Apprenticeships are developed with employers, for employers, developing skilled individuals that benefit their businesses.    

Scottish Apprenticeship Week will demonstrate how Scottish Apprenticeships are critical to help grow and expand the nation’s workforce, giving people skills to thrive.   

Co-ordinated by Skills Development Scotland and supported by the Scottish Government and a wide range of national and local partners, the campaign will also celebrate the winners of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.  

Talented young people and top employers across the country are in the running for the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards. The vital role of learning providers will also be recognised when winners of the awards are announced on 27 February. 

Contenders across the country, from the north of Scotland to the Borders, have made the shortlist, and one talented nominee will be crowned the nation’s Apprentice of the Year.  

Current apprentice of the year is craft butcher Marc Ingram who credits his apprenticeship with changing his life.

Marc worried about his career options when he left Falkirk High aged 15 with few qualifications because of his dyslexia and ADHD. 

The teenager applied for a Modern Apprenticeship in Skills for Food and Drink Operations (Butchery) with help from his school and SDS careers adviser and hasn’t looked back.

Working with a team of butchers at Blair Drummond Smiddy, Stirlingshire, helped him gain skills and competence in many aspects of the trade and inspired him to want his own shop one day.

The 18-year-old said: “I used to feel so ashamed that I couldn’t read or write properly but doing the Modern Apprenticeship has totally changed my life.

“Being able to go into a workplace, earn money and learn at the same time was the best feeling ever. When I was younger, I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to work or move out of home – I can’t believe how far I’ve come.

“I want other young people to know there are still great career pathways such as apprenticeships, even if school wasn’t for them.”

MADE FOR BUSINESS
THERE are currently around 12,000 apprentice employers in Scotland, investing in approximately 40,000 apprentices to find new talent and diversify their workforce. 
Scottish Apprenticeships are available in Scotland’s key sectors, providing opportunities for people to get the skills employers want.  

Businesses say that Modern Apprentices help boost productivity and enable them to benefit from staff retention.

Modern Apprentice achievement rates are high and nearly nine in 10 qualified apprentices are still working with the employer they started their apprenticeship with. 

Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey said: “Scottish Apprenticeships are vital for nurturing an inclusive, skills-driven, and resilient workforce that aligns with Scotland’s economic ambitions, not to mention helping our young people into sustainable and rewarding employment. 

“Apprenticeships drive industry investment in skills, providing equity and access to opportunities helping to enhance Scotland’s competitive edge. 

“The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards will show the positive impact that apprenticeships have on people, business and society.” 

Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell, said: “Created in collaboration with industry, Scottish Apprenticeships help employers build a skilled and diverse workforce.

Designed by employers, apprenticeships foster innovation, economic growth, and new opportunities. 

“Apprenticeships also provide Scotland with a great social return, by giving opportunities of enduring careers for many young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas. 

“Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a time for all those who support and benefit from apprenticeships to demonstrate how they are made for business, people and Scotland.” 

Check out the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards finalists shortlist and keep up to date with news on the ceremony at apprenticeships.scot/awards 

 Find out more about Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025 and download the toolkit and resources on apprenticeships.scot/scotappweek

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An extraordinary career celebrated as adviser retires

A CAREERS adviser who helped thousands of young people during 
40 years’ service at the same secondary school has been hailed as a ‘mentor, role model and friend’ by colleagues.

Skills Development Scotland Careers Adviser Willie Macleod has retired after supporting young people and adults across the Western Isles for 43 years. 

This included four decades at Sir E Scott school in Harris.

Willie said: “In the very beginning, I was visiting schools across the Western Isles.   
“I loved working at Sir E Scott and helping the pupils through the years. I would very often see parents in the school or people in the community who would say I was their careers adviser, so it’s great that they remembered me.” 

Skills Development Scotland colleagues and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s employability team gathered to recognise SDS Careers Adviser Willie Macleod’s, front centre, 43 years in the careers service

Willie loved to play a part in developing people and helping them get on in life. He said: “In my role, it’s always been a case of encouraging people to open up, so that I can help. Being there for them and developing a relationship with them is half the battle.” 

The 70-year-old has seen the world of careers guidance evolve dramatically, but his commitment to supporting people through life’s transitions has never wavered. 

Whether through one-on-one conversations, delivering workshops, or simply offering a kind word, his influence has rippled far and wide. 

Throughout his career, Willie has not only helped young people navigate their paths but has also inspired colleagues, friends, and even future Careers Advisers, including SDS Area Manager for the North, Susan MacRae. 

Susan said: “I’ll never forget the impact Willie had on my life. As a young person who was very unsure of my next steps, his guidance helped me make decisions that completely transformed my future.  

“Willie didn’t just point me toward opportunities; he gave me the confidence to seize them.

“All our conversations and there were many, ignited a passion in me to do the same for others, and it’s the main reason I chose to follow in his footsteps 29 years ago and study to become a Careers Adviser myself.” 

Susan added: “Over the years, Willie has been more than a source of professional advice—he’s been a mentor, a role model, and a friend to many of us. 

“His ability to listen without judgment, ask the right questions, and empower others to believe in themselves is a rare and special gift.”

In his most recent role, Willie has been part of the Eilean Siar Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) team based at the SDS 
careers centre at the Town Hall in Stornoway.

Willie said: “The team relocated to Town Hall in 2022 and it’s been fantastic to work more closely with the council’s employability team to do joint activities and link up our services. 

“The customers are the ones that really matter and so it’s been great to work more collaboratively with others to help the community.”