Nominate an Apprentice Great

How many of us can say that we have influenced the lives and careers of 10,000 people?

This is true of James Swan at GTG Training, a joint winner in the Apprentice Instructor of the Year category at our Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, alongside other equally influential and inspirational individuals, Charlie Murphy of BAE Systems Naval Ships and FES Group training manager, Kenny Stewart.

I attended the Awards last month, when James, Charlie and Kenny were recognised for the dedication they have put into training apprentices throughout their careers, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the hall.

The impact that these individuals have made on apprentices and the businesses they work for is immeasurable, and Skills Development Scotland wanted to give them further recognition as the first inductees into our new initiative, Apprentice Greats.

Through Apprentice Greats, SDS wants to recognise those who have made significant contributions to apprenticeships in Scotland.

We also want to inspire others through positive role models who have achieved great things through apprenticeships.

This can certainly be said of the latest inductee, Jim McColl. A former apprentice, Jim is now a global business leader demonstrating equality and diversity through the apprentices he employs across his businesses.

We want to recognise more people like them: the women and men who have gone on to great things, who are championing apprenticeships or demonstrating that apprenticeships are inclusive through their work and actions.

There are instructors, mentors, training providers, business owners and equality champions across Scotland whose work we want to acknowledge.

Nomination forms can be found on the Apprentice Greats webpage, where stories on our current inductees can also be watched.

We’re looking forward to announcing the next inductees during Scottish Apprenticeship Week in March, so if you know someone worthy of recognition, we’d be delighted to hear from you.