WGM celebrate 30th anniversary at Falkirk Campus

WGM celebrate 30th anniversary at Falkirk Campus
WGM 1.jpg

One of Forth Valley College’s most valued Modern Apprenticeship (MA) partners chose the Falkirk Campus to celebrate their 30th anniversary and congratulate four graduating MAs.

WGM Engineering Ltd send a total of 18 MAs – ranging from Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering to Engineering Management and Engineering Construction Design and Drafting - to the College and sent their first employee to the Falkirk Campus in 2011.

They invited FVC Principal Dr Ken Thomson and Colette Filippi FVC’s Associate Principal and Executive Director - Business Development, along to meet their current cohort at a special photo-shoot on Tuesday 1 March to also coincide with Scottish MA Week 2016.

Several members of the Livingston and Glasgow based firm’s management team were also present including: John Sutherland (Engineering Director), Steve McGeouch (Operations Director), Tom Allardice (Engineering Manager), Eddie Allan (HSEQ Advisor), Arthur McCaffrey (Engineering Technical Support), Yvonne Thompson (Head of HR and Business Admin), Lindsay Murray (HR Coordinator), Gareth Fudge (Electrical Manager).

Ironically Arthur McCaffrey, WGM’s Engineering Technical Support officer who is referred to affectionately by the MAs as ‘Mother Goose’ as he looks after and mentors them, was a former student at Falkirk College around 50 years ago.
FVC Principal Dr Ken Thomson, said:

“I was absolutely delighted to meet WGM’s latest MAs at the Falkirk Campus. They are a real credit to their employers and we are delighted to be helping them lay the foundations of an excellent career in engineering. WGM are a leading player in the Engineering sector and we are so pleased to have such a close working relationship with them and to help them develop their workforce with our mechanical and electrical engineering expertise.”

John Sutherland, WGM Engineering Director, said:

“WGM Engineering first engaged with Forth Valley College in 2010/11 and has continued to work closely with the college in developing our MAs. There is a real skills gap within the engineering sector, our continued investment in our MAs directly contributes to WGM’s success and helps bring those vital skills back to the engineering sector. WGM recognises the importance of investing in young people and their future through MAs and having a great business partnership with Forth Valley College is key to the delivery of that investment.”

Arthur McCaffrey WGM Engineering Technical Support officer, said:

“ It has been nearly 50 years since I was at Falkirk Tech at that time. I can’t say it was my greatest time - well who wants more school – though I must say that I was given a solid footing in engineering by the college.

“As for my new MAs and the term of endearment ‘Mother Goose’ given to me is testament to the great connection we have with the apprentices here at WGM engineering. The college has done a really good job with our newly qualified tradesmen and I look forward to working with Forth Valley College in the future.”

Ross Newton who has just completed his MA and has started an HND in Mechanical Engineering, said:

“Being at Forth Valley College was a good all round experience. The facilities and lecturers were all really good and I would definitely recommend it.”

Ross Fleming another MA graduate, who also completed an HNC in Electrical Engineering and is now beginning an HNC in Mechanical Engineering, said:

“Studying at the college really helped me understand what we were doing on site at work. It all slotted into place very well.”

Craig Paton, who also completed his MA but with an HNC in Mechanical Engineering and is now studying for an HNC in Electrical Engineering, added:

“You are exposed to a very varied skill set here at Forth Valley College and it helped greatly in our understanding. I would thoroughly recommend it.”

David Wallace who was also presented with his MA scroll and his HNC in Electrical Engineering, is also doing an HNC in Mechanical Engineering. He said:

“The things you learn at Forth Valley College translate very well into the workplace. We all came here for a year full-time and it is a wee bit overwhelming to start with, but it all fits into place as you get through the course work step by step. It was really worthwhile.”

WGM are currently looking to recruit between 10-12 apprentices to start this academic year, though the exact disciplines are still to be decided. They recruit most of their apprentices through the college recruitment process.