Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney and Orkney College UHI held an Orkney and Apprenticeships: Skills for the Future information event at Orkney College UHI on Wednesday 6th  March.

This was part of Scottish Apprenticeships Week . It was open to parents, carers and young people in and out of secondary school who may be interested in a Foundation, Modern or Graduate Apprenticeship.

Presentations were given by

• Kendall Pyke, Organisational Development Advisor with NHS Orkney
• Harmony Bourne, a PA at NHS Orkney undertaking a Graduate Apprenticeship in Business Management
• Catherine Diamond, Lead Officer for Early Years at the OIC
• Megan Wilkie, undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services: Children and Young People.

Kendall Pyke said:

“At NHS Orkney we are keen to develop our workforce and give them the skills they need to progress with their career.  We have taken on apprentices at every level, offering placements to Foundation Apprentices who are still at school, and also taking on Modern Apprentices in clinical and non-clinical roles.

“Last year, we offered our staff the opportunity to take on a Graduate Apprenticeships with Robert Gordon University.  We now have five staff who are halfway through their first year, two staff of those previously completed their Modern Apprenticeships with us, so we are starting to see a progression through the framework.

Natasha Stacey, Modern Apprentice with DYW Orkney organised the event as part of her qualification, said:

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to get into the industry you are interested in and learn practical skills on the job. I have always had a love for planning and organising and my apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to help with previous events we have hosted and led me to getting the opportunity to plan this event. The skills I have developed through my Modern Apprenticeship will help me throughout my career.”

Anyone interested in attending a similar event should contact DYW Orkney on orkneydyw@uhi.ac.uk or 01856 569 353.