This week is National Apprenticeship Week. The week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make on businesses and the wider economy.
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is ‘build the future’, reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.
As a local, family business, McLeods is committed to playing a positive role in our community and doing our part to nurture the next generation of talent.
We have established great relationships with local education authorities, including Perth High School, DYW & the University of Highlands & Islands, to help give local talent opportunities to learn new skills.
McLeods CEO Derek Petterson sits on The Perth High School Ambassadors Board which supports a range of pupils, with one-to-one mentoring and learning opportunities. The support of this initiative has resulted in pupil’s gaining real-time working experience with us and short-term placements.
We currently have an Apprentice Glazier working with us, who attended Perth High School, and during which spent two separate work experience periods with us. Kyle joined our team in August 2021 and is progressing very well and learning new skills every day working alongside our experienced glazing team.
We’ve also been working with the PKC DYW initiative for some time which gives work placements to young people registered in DYW. Derek is one of the founding Ambassadors of the PKC scheme and has been instrumental in its success.
In 2021 we took on two new apprentices – One in our glazing department as mentioned and one in our maintenance department. This is a fantastic opportunity for two local young people to learn from the very best and to progress within the industry. In 2022 we are aiming to offer another Apprenticeship of an Apprentice Window & Door Installer.
Along with offering Apprenticeships, we also do our best to offer work experience placements. Most recently we welcomed 15-year-old Lacey from St Johns Academy to McLeods on a week-long work experience. Lacey worked alongside our Company Secretary and learnt all about the administration side of our business.
Apprenticeships play a key role in our business as we build for the future, and it is very rewarding to see an apprentice develop their skills by working alongside our experienced members and to see them grow into becoming fully qualified and competent members of our team.
Keep an eye out on our social media channels for any Apprenticeship opportunities in the future.