One company in Grangemouth can truly lay claim to being a pioneer in the transition to using green alternatives to fossil fuels in chemical manufacturing.
Celtic Renewables is at the forefront of the green revolution in Scotland and are now expanding their workforce with four new apprentices who will be trained through Forth Valley College.
Celtic Renewables is commercialising a process that converts waste from food, drink and agriculture industries into bio-based chemicals, acetone and butanol, chemicals that currently require fossil fuels for their production.
These essential chemicals can be used in thousands of everyday products including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fragrances and cleaning products.
Kerry Johnston, Chief People Officer, Celtic Renewables said:
“We’re excited to be entering into a partnership with Forth Valley College. We are starting four apprentices initially who will study at the College for a year before joining us at our bio refinery to learn on the job from our operators and engineers.”
The apprentices will benefit from hands on training on state-of-the-art equipment through the College’s new Skills Transition Centre (STC). The STC is a £4 million investment from the Scottish Government to provide training for jobs likely to be in demand in the future. It will help accelerate the integration of digital technologies to create a multi-disciplinary workforce able to take advantage of future employment opportunities.
The acquisition of advanced laboratory equipment - including a freeze dryer (2.5L), pH meters, homogeniser, and Solaris IO fermenters - represents a strategic investment in the future of biotechnology education at the College. This equipment will transform practical training capabilities, ensuring apprentices gain industry-standard skills aligned with Scotland’s growing life sciences sector.
Caroline Hogg, Head of Apprenticeships, Forth Valley College said:
“Across the year, apprentices from Celtic Renewables will benefit from a blend of classroom learning, hands-on workshops and practical training that will simulate the real challenges they will experience when they take up their positions with the company.
“This investment in advanced laboratory equipment through the STC strengthens that experience even further, giving apprentices access to industry standard tools that deepen their skills and confidence. The STC is adding real value to our apprenticeship programme. We see ourselves as a genuine partner for employers, and we work closely with businesses to understand their objectives and tailor our support to help them achieve their goals.”
One of the new apprentices is Mathew Hapson who is training to be a Process Operator with the company.
“I’ve just finished S5 of school and I really enjoyed engineering type subjects but at the same time I was also really interested in the renewables sector. I thought that would be a sustainable job for my generation’s future.
“The great thing about this apprenticeship is that I will be earning and learning at the same time.”
Pictured: (from left to right) Rory MacDonald, Lewis McNab, Matthew Hampson and Aiden Reid in the FVC Skills Transition Centre
Visit Forth Valley College’s YouTube Channel to watch the first two episodes of a docuseries following Modern Apprentices from Celtic Renewables as they navigate the first year of their apprenticeship – watch them here.
You can also find information on Modern Apprenticeships at Forth Valley College by clicking here.
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