Two Modern Apprentices have hailed the precursor course which led them into a full-time MA position at Forth Valley College.
Harry Chalmers (18) from Larbert and Shane Smith (18) from Polmont both completed the Pre-apprenticeship programme at Forth Valley College - now recruiting for 2019/20 - and this course has helped them to full time Modern Apprenticeships.
Shane an Assembly and Test MA TechnipFMC, said: “The course was really beneficial to me in my career and enjoyable throughout the year. It was great meeting new people and practicing skills I had been hoping to acquire for most of my school days.
“The facilities for the Engineering Department are good and they bring in things that you can train on that you might see in your workplace, like motors for example. Also the lecturers are very helpful and if you have any questions they are usually able to answer them. I would recommend this course as you have a good chance of getting an apprenticeship which can potentially set you up for life with your company.
“It has helped me a lot as I now have an apprenticeship with TechnipFMC who are a leading global production company for oil and gas projects, technologies and systems. Also the course has helped me progress my skills on working with tools, which has made it easier for me to come into TechnipFMC.”
Harry, an Apprentice Technician with Edinburgh Airport, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the pre-apprenticeship course at Forth Valley College as it gave me the insight on what the first year of an apprenticeship would be like. I gained very good both practical and academic knowledge through this course and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
“The facilities provided at FVC are great, especially the engineering facilities. There are lots of modern workshops with high tech equipment which help give you an in-depth look at some aspects of engineering you wouldn’t get at other colleges. The lecturers were all also very helpful and were experienced in engineering, so they would always have a lot of useful information.
“It has been a huge stepping stone in my career, as now I have managed to secure a full time technician apprenticeship working at Edinburgh Airport."
The programme was set up in August 2016 to accommodate an overspill of applicants in relation to Modern Apprenticeship (MA) places and the move has now given several candidates the opportunity to follow the first Year MA programme and then reapply for an apprenticeship.
Each Pre-apprentice completes an NC in Electrical, Mechanical or Measurement and Control Engineering along with an SVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations.
Forth Valley College’s Business Development Department also worked with some of their industry partners and managed to secure work experience for all of the pre-apprentices during the Easter break and due to the success of the course it is expected to be run again next year at the Falkirk Campus.
Lorraine Kerr, FVC Business Development Partner, said: “Working with the Pre-apprentice group has been a very rewarding experience. It’s great to see Harry and Shane progress onto positive destinations. It just shows how important the programme can be and we look forward to running it again in the months to come.”
Lorna Allison, MA Ineos Manager, “the Pre-Apprentice Programme is an excellent opportunity for those who haven’t been successful initially in gaining an Apprenticeship, to gain the skills and get ahead of other Apprenticeship applicants.
“The Programme is growing in popularity with an increase in applications for places year on year.
“I am delighted that Harry and Shane were successful in gaining Apprenticeships with two of our Partner Organisations and I am sure they will continue to be a credit to us.”
To find out more about the Pre-Apprenticeship Programme or the MA Programme at FVC contact Lorraine Kerr on 01324 403312 or lorraine.kerr@forthvalley.ac.uk or Lorna Allison on 01324 403177 or lorna.allison@forthvalley.ac.uk
