Scottish employers have been recognised for their investment in apprenticeships to create opportunities for young people and develop their businesses.
Companies from a range of sectors were celebrated at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, organised in March by Skills Development Scotland to support Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Pioneers in sustainability, ACS Clothing won the title of SME Apprentice Employer of the Year.
Apprentices play a big role at the Lanarkshire firm, which is Europe’s largest sustainable fashion hub.
From its 200,000 sq ft Motherwell HQ, ACS enables brands and retailers to adopt a circular economy, helping keep clothes out of landfill and in wardrobes longer.
The company processes six million clothing items annually for returns, rental, and resale through its cleaning and repair service, working with brands including H&M, The North Face, Patagonia, and Nobody’s Child.
Currently, ACS has 13 Foundation Apprentices, 42 Modern Apprentices and one Graduate Apprentice, with several former apprentices having advanced to director and managerial positions.
Chief Sustainability Officer at ACS Michael Cusack believes apprenticeships are vital for building a workforce aligned with its environmental and ethical ethos.
Michael said: “Apprenticeships are a strategic way to grow our people organically to meet our goals of becoming a leader in sustainable fashion while creating job opportunities that uplift communities and support social inclusion.
“We aim to nurture a generation of skilled and environmentally conscious professionals. For us, sustainability includes people development, society, and biodiversity – it isn’t just about emissions; it’s how we can work for the greater good.”
An SME finalist at the awards included Stonehaven civil engineering and construction firm W M Donald, which has seen its turnover steadily increase to over £60m since introducing apprenticeships in 2021.
W M Donald has employed 47 apprentices to date and currently has three Foundation Apprentices, 15 Modern Apprentices and six Graduate Apprentices in construction, civil engineering, quantity surveying and mechanics.
Apprenticeships have created a steady flow of professional, skilled workers who are critical to the Aberdeenshire company’s expansion. They’re also supporting W M Donald’s sustainability goals through training in environmentally responsible methods and helping to maintain its three years carbon neutral operations.
Another finalist in the SME category, Perth fenestration specialist Sidey Solutions introduced apprenticeships in 2022 to find new talent when staff numbers were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the business had an ageing workforce.
Today, the 220-strong firm has employed 21 Modern and two Graduate Apprentices across frameworks including installation, glazing and business administration and management. It boasts a 100 percent completion rate and an ongoing employed retention rate of 87 percent.
BAE Systems picked up the title of Large Apprentice Employer of the Year, recognising the engineering giant’s multi-million investment in apprenticeships.
Over the next five years, 850 apprentices will join BAE Systems to power the construction of eight Type 26 frigates, honing their skills in new state-of-the-art facilities designed to keep them at the forefront of training and technology.
The £12 million Applied Shipbuilding Academy – a digital shipyard for the future – offers a realistic training environment featuring augmented reality. The adjacent Hub houses over 30 teaching spaces, including a STEM innovation lab.
At BAE Systems in Glasgow, 12 Foundation Apprentices, 500 Modern Apprentices and 100 Graduate Apprentices work across ten trade areas, including design and systems engineering, project management and supply chain.
John Burnett, BAE Systems Early Careers Manager, said: “We don’t just build the ships; we build the apprentices who build the ships.”
Another finalist, GE Aerospace has been helping careers take flight with apprenticeships since 1980, growing organic talent to futureproof the organisation.
The Prestwick firm’s apprenticeship jobs have empowered more than 350 employees to fuel their careers while driving innovation, efficiency and excellence.
The other awards finalist, global energy and materials firm Wood has reduced recruitment costs through its apprenticeship programme.
Since becoming an apprentice employer in 2015, the Aberdeen business has hired over 70 apprentices through APTUS (formerly the Oil and Gas Technical Apprenticeship Programme) in collaboration with Forth Valley College. The partnership boasts a 98 percent completion and retention rate.
Apprentices play a vital role in Wood’s energy transition projects, gaining hands-on experience in hydrogen production, offshore wind and other renewable initiatives. Apprentice training also incorporates environmentally friendly practices, directly supporting Wood’s sustainability strategy and net zero goals
