Celebrations of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026, could not have started any better for Forth Valley College as one of the College’s Modern Apprentices won big at the annual Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Scottish Apprenticeships Awards.
SP Energy Networks Craft Apprentice – Fitter, Alice Fairbairn (25) from Melrose, won the Modern Apprentice of the Year Level 6+ category, which was presented at a special ceremony at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow on Thursday 26 February 2026, to mark the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week (Monday 2-Friday 6 March) https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/news/alice-wins-sds-scottish-apprenticeships-award
On Monday 2 March the first day of Scottish Apprenticeship Week Forth Valley College and Celtic Renewables chose to release the second part of a series of films following the firm’s first four Modern Apprenticeships during their first academic year, to show how the partners are ‘Growing Scotland’s Green Workforce’. https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/news/second-film-in-growing-scotland-s-green-workforce-series-released
The new film launch showcases what the four new recruits have been learning while studying full-time at FVC during the first year of their four year apprenticeship. To view https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXLQQBXCXFk
Monday also saw College representative from the Apprenticeships Skills and Commercial Team, including Christopher Nisbet, Assistant Client Manager, and Des McCabe, Curriculum Manager from the Department of STEM and Construction (Fabrication and Welding) visit the Babcock dockyards in Rosyth - where many FVC Fabrication and Welding Modern Apprentice work – to welcome MSP Willie Rennie on a site trip (pics to come).
Tuesday 3 March allowed FVC to promote free, fully funded online introductory courses run through the College’s website, which could well be a gateway for anyone interested in securing a Modern Apprenticeship in the future.
Many potential MAs are asking the question – how do we make employers want to take us on as a Modern Apprentice?
One way could be for them to complete one or more of the wide range of free, fully funded online Introduction or Preparation courses that could improve their CVs and enhance their chances of being taken on by local firms. https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/ways-to-study/flexible-online-learning/fully-funded-online-courses
On Wednesday 4 March an announcement was made that Grangemouth will benefit from £10 million new investment to create new jobs and boost skills development – and Forth Valley College will also join Falkirk Council on a new employment pathways programme backed by £90,000 in funding from the Scottish Government. https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/news/accelerating-growth-in-grangemouth
Further investment into Celtic Renewables – one of FVC’s employer partners - will support the company’s expansion into large scale commercial production of sustainable biochemical solutions, creating 149 new jobs in the area by 2030.
The funding comprises £5 million in Scottish Enterprise equity funding - building on previous Scottish Government investment of over £6 million via the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund - which has in turn leveraged £5 million from the private sector into Celtic Renewables – for more visit https://www.celtic-renewables.com/16-23-million-investment-secured-for-new-biorefinery-in-grangemouth/
The photograph shows Sarah Higgins (centre right) FVC’s Vice Principal Learning and Student experience and the College’s Head of Apprenticeships Caroline Hogg (centre left), along with FVC’s four Celtic Renewables MAs at Grangemouth site on Wednesday 4 March, where Climate Action and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin made the announcement during a visit.
Department facilities were the focus of two open evening events promoting courses and apprenticeship opportunities available at Forth Valley College. https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/news/department-focus-proves-popular-at-open-evenings
The events took place on Tuesday 3 March (4.30pm – 7.30pm) at the Falkirk Campus and on Wednesday 4 March (4.30pm – 7.30pm) at the Stirling Campus and more than 200 potential new students attended both events in total.
They also coincided with Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026 from Monday 2 – Friday 6 March, with a wide range of employers also attending to promote current apprenticeship opportunities and vacancies.
This year, the open evenings were curriculum focused, highlighting key courses and specialisms associated with each campus. Visitors were able to explore the teaching areas that interested them and, where possible, get a first-hand look at the facilities, equipment and learning environments available.
Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus held an exclusive morning showcase for employers in the construction industry on Thursday 5 March – supported by Paragon Housing Association and the Federation of Master Builders.
The event was very well attended and was designed to highlight the apprenticeships on offer at the College and how FVC can support employers’ current and future workforce needs: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/news/employer-construction-apprenticeship-showcase
Also on Thursday 5 March it was revealed that a former Modern Apprentice turned mentor, has taken a current Forth Valley College apprentice joiner under her wing in the workplace.
Iona Hewlett (25) from Alloa, who works for Edinburgh based Building Finishing Services (BFS), epitomises the benefits of the Modern Apprentice programme in the Scottish Construction industry and was keen to raise awareness of her journey during Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
She has embraced her new role as a qualified professional joiner and also that of mentor to MA and colleague Kian McGee (22) from Cumbernauld, at BFS. https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/news/former-ma-takes-apprentice-under-her-wing
Denny High School was also a destination for the week long programme of events as staff attended a parental engagement event for apprentices.
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