Talented apprentices along with their employers and learning providers will be at the heart of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
It’s never been more important to continue celebrating the success of dedicated apprentices, the commitment of their employers and innovation shown by learning providers.
This year, the awards will also recognise apprentices and employers working hard to support Scotland’s climate change ambitions and target of net zero emissions by 2045 with the introduction of two new categories – Supporting Net Zero Apprentice Employer of the Year and Support Net Zero Apprentice of the Year.
It’s never been easier to nominate.
Nominations close at noon on Wednesday 27 October 2021 and winners will be revealed during Scottish Apprenticeship Week in March 2022.
Make a nomination
Nominate an apprentice, employer or learning provider in the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
Nominate now
Nomination entry rules
This year's nominations are now open. Read our entry rules before making a nomination.
Nomination entry rulesLast year's winners
Scotland's Apprentice of the Year
Samir Khan-Young
Engineering: Design and Manufacture, Thales
Samir worked nightshifts for Thales’ Manufacturing Team to produce PPE for NHS frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 25-year-old completed a Modern Apprenticeship at Govan-based Thales and knew the Engineering: Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship with University of Strathclyde was a natural progression.
The former Bannerman High School pupil has established himself as a key member of Thales’ team.
Foundation Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by
Annabel Stewart
Scientific Technologies, Charles River Laboratories
A Scientific Technologies Foundation Apprenticeship was the perfect career experiment for 18-year-old Annabel, as she got a job after leaving school.
The former Dunbar Grammar School pupil has gone on to work with Charles River Laboratories and plans to start a Modern Apprenticeship with the firm.
Modern Apprentice of the Year - Level 5
Sponsored by
Ciara Phillips
Financial Services - Accounting, Morgan Stanley
Ciara declined university offers to become a finance apprentice and has excelled in her Modern Apprenticeship, passing her accountancy exams with flying colours.
The 20-year-old from Paisley works on complex tasks for The Bank of England and successfully moved to remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ciara promotes apprenticeships at events with senior management and in schools. She also supports interviews of apprentices.
Modern Apprentice of the Year - Level 6+
Sponsored by
Tamara Kamal
Sport, Health and Social Care - Healthcare Support, NHS Lothian
NHS worker Tamara Kamal credits her apprenticeship training with giving her skills to get through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 23-year-old from Edinburgh, who works at the Royal Infirmary, also says she has the full support of her colleagues to achieve in her Healthcare Support apprenticeship.
Graduate Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by
Samir Khan-Young
Engineering: Design and Manufacture, Thales
Samir worked nightshifts for Thales’ Manufacturing Team to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for NHS frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 25-year-old completed a Modern Apprenticeship at Govan-based Thales and knew that the Engineering: Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship with University of Strathclyde was a natural progression.
The former Bannerman High School pupil has established himself as a key member of Thales’ team.
SME Employer of the Year
Sponsored by
Scotmas Group
Kelso
Leading chlorine dioxide specialist Scotmas Group believes its apprenticeship model has helped its business adapt to change when facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faced with huge restrictions, the Kelso-based employer managed to shift the business from its traditional tasks to the increased manufacture of disinfectant for the NHS. Managing Director Alistair Cameron says that this has underlined the value of their apprenticeship programme.
SME Employer of the Year – Promoting Diversity
Zen Consultants Ltd
Edinburgh
Edinburgh accountancy firm Zen Consultants Ltd is a champion of apprenticeships for the opportunities it can provide for young people and to diversify its workforce.
According to founder and CEO Saj Sharif, apprentices have also improved business growth over the past year.
As well as strongly supporting Modern Apprenticeships, the firm is also backing Foundation Apprenticeships for school pupils.
Large Employer of the Year
Sponsored by
Balfour Beatty
North Lanarkshire
This construction and infrastructure company currently has 70 apprentices as part of its highly successful workforce in Scotland. Balfour Beatty believes supporting Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships is the best way to nurture the next generation of talent.
COVID-19 restrictions have brought times of uncertainty for businesses across the country. However, the company ensured it retained all its apprentices and is currently inviting applications for the next cohort.
Large Employer of the Year - Promoting Diversity
Harper Macleod LLP
Glasgow
Harper Macleod LLP goes the extra mile to support its apprentices.
The Glasgow-headquartered law firm offers Modern Apprenticeships across a range of corporate frameworks. It works with Career Ready, MCR Pathways and the Robertson Trust in addition to partnering with schools.
To support Modern Apprentices with additional support needs the firm works closely with learning provider QA to offer the most effective support.
Innovation in Learning Provision
Sponsored by
Openreach
Livingston
Openreach Learning and Development has made the most of technology to help Engineering Modern Apprentices stay connected during the pandemic.
When face-to-face learning was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the learning provider quickly adapted its digital learning approach. This ensured apprentices from across the country could continue to progress and achieve remotely.
Apprentice Instructor of the Year
Marie Brennan
BAE Systems
Marie Brennan, Apprentice and Skills Development Leader at BAE Systems, has supported over 180 apprentices during her time in the role.
Marie, from Alloa, introduced the company to Graduate Apprenticeships. Now more than 50 of its staff are working, learning and earning towards degrees on top of the firm's commitment to Modern Apprenticeships.
Through Marie’s efforts BAE Systems also supports pupils through Foundation Apprenticeships.
Apprentice Ambassador of the Year
Sponsored by
Cameron MacDonald
Engineering and Energy - Engineering, Diageo
Cameron’s passion for electrics started at childhood when he used to repair toy cars.
Having completed a Modern Apprenticeship in electrical engineering, the 21-year-old completed a Graduate Apprenticeship in Engineering – Electrical Design and Manufacture with Diageo through Heriot-Watt University.
Cameron, from Bathgate, volunteers his time to promote apprenticeships at schools and events, even attending a reception at the Scottish Parliament.