Calling all companies! Modern Apprentices (MAs) are an increasingly important part of the East Ayrshire workforce and now they’ve been set a challenge by the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce.
In a move designed to recognise and highlight the skills and creativity of MAs and their massive contribution to the local economy the Modern Apprenticeship Challenge 2016 asks companies and their MAs to identify and carry out a project which benefits their local community using skills relevant to their apprenticeship.
Open to individual or teams of apprentices, the challenge runs until August 2016 and is limited to 40 hours per team member, logged in a work sheet or diary and presented in a final portfolio. Registration for the challenge must be completed by 31 March 2016.
All entries must make use of the skills of the apprentice, be endorsed by the employer and show good project management skills. The portfolios, to be submitted at the end of the project need to include photographs, objectives and details of criteria such as budgets, staff support, work diary and a summary of the community development.
Previous projects have included up grading of nursery school play equipment, design and build of a sensory garden and design and installation of fixed seating for care home residents. Developing the Young Workforce Ayrshire, Ayrshire Chamber can provide assistance with finding a suitable project.
Councillor Jim Buchanan, Member for Economy, East Ayrshire Council said: “East Ayrshire companies are increasingly understanding the huge benefits of taking on and training their young staff through Modern Apprenticeship schemes. Our Economic Development team has a specialist group dedicated to working with companies and partner agencies such as to recruit, train and create opportunities for Modern Apprentices. This challenge is an exciting way for the young people and their employers to put something back into their communities while promoting the benefits of this form of education.”