Posted: Monday 23 January 2012

Engineering Apprenticeships almost 13% Higher than National Average at Kilmarnock College

Despite the gloomy outlook portrayed by economists, the number of completed engineering apprenticeships at Kilmarnock College is almost 13 per cent higher than the national average.

This year's completed engineering apprenticeships were 92.9 per cent compared to the national average of 80 per cent.

Last month the Scottish Government announced that it will invest £2million in apprenticeships in order to boost career development opportunities in the country.

The College has a longstanding relationship with companies ranging from engineering giants GE Caledonian and Ayrshire Precision Engineering to care companies including Airlie House in Ayr.

In the key areas in which the College supports apprentices, it has achieved above average completion figures - hairdressing is almost 8 per cent above the national average, at 76.9 per cent, and Health and Social Care is 11.3 per cent above average at 33.3 per cent.

The SQA Awards granted the College an award for its successful, long-standing partnership with GE Caledonian. Working in partnership over the last 15 years, GE Caledonian faces the challenge of the increasingly stringent requirements for engineering qualifications to meet quality standards set down by the awarding bodies within the industry.

This year GE Caledonian recruited a total of 12 apprentices from Kilmarnock College. The College and GE Caledonian developed a partnership that benefited both parties and created a tailor-made approach to improve the students' experience and help them secure employment with GE Caledonian. Proactively addressing future issues, a long-term plan involving collaboration with schools and knowledge transfer was developed to allow GE Caledonian to adapt to future changes and challenges that faced its sector.

Ayrshire engineering company, Ayrshire Precision Engineering (APE) Ltd praised the high calibre of engineering students at Kilmarnock College after taking on two students who completed a work placement with the firm.

Ayrshire Precision Engineering (APE) Ltd has specialised in precision engineering since 1969. The firm started working with Kilmarnock College eight years ago initially choosing one apprentice per year from the College's engineering department.

This year's Vocational Learning Awards Ceremony celebrated the achievements of Kilmarnock College students who have gained a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) or Modern Apprenticeship (MA) during 2010.

Last year Kilmarnock College students completed SVQs and MAs across the following sectors; Health and Social Care, Hairdressing, Learning and Development, Motor Vehicle Studies and Engineering.

Student, Maureen Baird, joined the College in August 2009 enrolling in the SVQ Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations Pre-Apprenticeship course in which she developed a keen interest in Fabrication and Welding. During this time she applied for various apprenticeships and secured a full-time apprentice position with a local engineering company, Nichol McKay. Maureen now attends the College on a day release basis whilst working for the company.

Maureen said: "College staff were really helpful and went the extra mile in helping me secure a job. Twelve months ago I was unemployed and thought I was too old for an apprenticeship; now I have a good source of income and a career."

Neil Cunningham, Service Leader for Vocational Learning, said: "The VQ Award ceremony provides an opportunity to showcase the outstanding achievement of Kilmarnock College students who have gained a work-based qualification. Working with SDS we now have plans to also include Retail VQs into what we offer."

Heather Dunk, Principal of Kilmarnock College, said: "Kilmarnock College has always been a huge advocate of the value of apprenticeships and what they offer the local economy. The College is keen to support the Scottish Government in their drive for increased numbers of apprenticeships in Scotland.

"We have several long-standing relationships with national and local companies in various industry sectors. We are keen to promote the benefits of apprenticeships to our students and have worked hard with our partner companies to try and ensure that there is a variety of jobs on offer. Completing a work-based qualification can transform the lives of students by improving their career opportunities.

"Certain industries in Scotland have died away over the past few decades so it is imperative that we build on trades that have significant areas for growth. Engineering and health care are two such industries and we have worked very hard to forge relationships with local businesses."

-Ends-

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Issued by Beattie Communications on behalf of Kilmarnock College
Sarah Ballantyne Tel: 01698 787859 Email: sarah.ballantyne@beattiegroup.com
Joanna Wilson Tel: 01698 787847 Email: joanna.wilson@beattiegroup.com

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