HARLEY Haddow has revealed how a supportive apprenticeship programme has ‘supercharged’ the careers of eight young people in the engineering industry.
The consultancy, which has offices in Edinburgh, London and Glasgow, explained how it has helped guide young people through university or college, while balancing on the job experience.
The business currently employs eight graduates and also has four employees at university part-time, and four at college on day release.
For Danny Ross, the construction industry is in his blood, having initially gained experience working with his dad as an assistant tiler. Starting his journey with Harley Haddow in 2012, Danny is now marking ten years with the company and working as a principal engineer in Glasgow.
The 28-year-old benefited from an apprenticeship scheme, with his first year spent working and getting on-site experience, and then starting a combination of work and university study.
He said, “I was just 18 when I started and the opportunities I have been given through an apprenticeship have got me to where I am in the industry. Balancing studies with work was a challenge but well worth it and it taught me a lot about task management.
“This was a huge benefit of working with Harley Haddow and getting my start in the industry here, that investment in education and getting to work on the job at the same time was invaluable. I would definitely recommend others to follow an apprenticeship, it’s the best way to get hands on experience and it’s really important to get students into the sector, doing that year in industry, then doing the mix of work and study. It’s a brilliant way to learn in a balanced way.”
As Scottish Apprenticeship Week gets underway, Harley Haddow said it has never been more important to highlight the positive impact apprenticeships can have on individuals, businesses, and the economy.
Chris McLaren, director, Harley Haddow, said, “It has been fantastic to watch Danny’s development at Harley Haddow since he first started as an apprentice. Supporting young people as they are making that first step into the industry is something we are hugely passionate about and we are committed to playing our part in nurturing the next generation of engineering talent.
“Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a great platform to highlight both the value of taking on apprenticeships and how employers can give a helping hand to those starting out. Particularly at the moment with the effects of the pandemic still being felt, it has never been more important to continue doing what we can as a company to help create routes into the industry.”
To find out more about working for Harley Haddow and current vacancies visit the careers page here: https://www.harleyhaddow.com/careers/
