The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards recognise the resilience and hard work of Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices in a year like no other. They shine a spotlight on those employers, providers and individuals who champion apprenticeships.
Award winners were announced during Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Our virtual awards ceremony was broadcast on Thursday 4 March 2021, from 7.00pm-8.00pm.
To watch the event, head over to our Youtube channel. Scroll down to view the full list of category finalists.
Our Awards 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, landing her a job after 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 pandemic.
Ciara promotes apprenticeships at events with senior management, in school and 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 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.
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 their traditional tasks to the increased manufacture of disinfectant for the NHS; something Managing Director Alistair Cameron admits has underlined the value of their apprenticeship programme.
SME Employer of the Year – Promoting Diversity
Zen Consultants Ltd
Edinburgh
The Edinburgh accountancy firm is a champion of apprenticeships for the opportunities they 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 embracing Modern Apprenticeships, the firm is also backing Foundation Apprenticeships for school pupils.
Large Employer of the Year
Sponsored by
Balfour Beatty
North Lanarkshire
The construction and infrastructure company currently has 70 apprentices as part of its highly successful workforce in Scotland and 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, Balfour Beatty 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 and 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 focus on offering 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 to ensure apprentices from across the country could continue to progress and achieve remotely.
Apprentice Instructor of the Year
Marie Brennan
BAE Systems
BAE Systems’ Apprentice and Skills Development Leader Marie has supported over 180 apprentices during her time in the role.
Marie, from Alloa, introduced the company to Graduate Apprenticeships – and it now has more than 50 staff 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 took an Engineering – Electrical Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship 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.
Sponsors
Entry Rules
Nominations for 2020 are now closed. Read our rules on submitting entries for this year's awards.