Shaping Futures at UHI Moray
As part of Scottish Careers Week, we sat down with some apprentices and employability clients to discover how we have shaped their futures.
Apprenticeships
As a partnership between the apprentice, employer, and training provider, our Modern Apprenticeships combine paid employment with structured learning, leading to nationally recognised qualifications. Plus, with benefits including skills development, career advancement and business growth it's a win-win for both apprentices and employers!
Throughout the duration of the apprenticeship, we also support both the employer and the apprentice.
“I am now running sites with minimal supervision. I feel this course has helped me gain the confidence in my own distilling abilities. Some of the questions from the units definitely make you think outside the box and ask about at all the sites I have been too, some even made the operators think which opened great discussions and debates.”
Megan Gordon, MA in Spirit Operations
Access to Manufacturing (Sector-based Work Academy)
Delivered by the UHI Moray Employability Team in partnership with DWP and Chivas Brothers, this course supported unemployed 18-25 year olds to enter the manufacturing sector.
Participants gained a range of accredited qualifications and skills for the manufacturing industry, including:
- IOSH Working Safely
- COSHH
- Manual Handling
- Vehicle Banksman
- First Aid at Work
- Diversity in the Workplace
- Customer Service
- Environment Awareness
- CV and Interview skills
Part of the course also involved an interview with Chivas Brothers to be selected to undertake a 3-week work placement at one of their production facilities. Harry was one of the participants who was selected by Chivas Brothers and then taken on as an agency employee on full-time hours.
Harry (Agency Level 1 Operator)
I’m really enjoying the job, there’s something new every day and I really like the people I work with too. It’s good work, I say to everybody that the days go so quick!
The course helped a lot, it was all about safety and it’s so important to work safely here at Chivas Brothers. The banksman training I use a lot too.
After the course I got to do a three-week work experience placement. I got to do a week each in different areas, so the labs, warehouse and distillery. That was perfect because it let you get a taster of each bit to see what you enjoy most. For me, the placement wasn’t about getting paid, it was about getting that experience of work so I would definitely recommend it.
My favourite part has been being back in a squad, working with folk! You get good craic but you work hard too.
I’ve said it before but the support from the employability team was great, they stayed in touch after the course to see how I was getting on.
Tailored employability support
In partnership with Enable Works, the UHI Moray Employability Team support individuals through the Moray Sector Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP). This programme allows us to offer 1-to-1, fully funded and tailored packages, matching skills and interests so individuals can achieve recognised certification and the training needed to succeed.
Rebecca
After returning to education, to complete a course in Digital Media, Rebecca was struggling with personal circumstances and could not gain employment. After joining Moray SWAP and receiving support she has secured a job starting in November as Administration Officer for the Scottish Government, Rural and Agriculture Farming.
“I found the service very helpful, since coming onto the project I have been able to achieve qualifications and participate in courses I would not have had opportunities to do which I feel has helped me to progress personally and professionally, towards achieving sustainable employment”.
Colleen
Colleen immigrated from Namibia (South Africa) to Scotland in April 2024 and after taking some time off, she started to look for employment and needed assistance with understanding the job market in Scotland.
“The support I receive is mainly in the form of changing my CV to suit the UK job market as well as advice and guidance regarding any interviews as well as covering letters and applications for posts advertised. This has helped me understand the job market. I also attended work experience over a period of one week with Morgan Sindall that I found interesting and gave me a 3 sense of how companies are run and operated within Scotland”.
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