We’ve appointed Euan Caddell (16) from Parkhouse, Glasgow, as an apprentice while he completes an SVQ level 3 in Heating and Ventilation Installation at Kelvin College, Springburn.
The four-year apprenticeship involves two years of training to be a pipefitter and heating engineer and two years of welding. The course includes underpinning knowledge, practical skills and experience for learners, with an emphasis on progression to full-time employment.
Gary Shepherd, managing director at James Ramsay, said: “I met Euan and his family at a careers event at his school and he immediately stood out with his attitude and ambition – I knew that night I would offer him an apprenticeship and to date he has continued to impress in our workshop gaining experience despite his course not officially starting until the end of August.”
James Ramsay currently employs four apprentices and has a longstanding history of successfully training and recruiting young graduates.
Euan is reporting into Ian Mathieson, operations director at James Ramsay. He said: “Apprenticeships are an essential part of any national skills strategy and must be considered a key driver to address skills shortages, increase productivity and develop the skilled workforce of the future.
“We’re committed to helping every learner achieve their full potential here at James Ramsay and are delighted to welcome Euan to the team as this year’s new apprentice.”
Former apprentices, still with the business today include Gary Shepherd, managing director; Marc Millar, project manager; John Milligan, foreman; heating engineers Ross Mowat, Malky Aitken, Stevie McNeil, Colin Bright, Stuart McBeth; and Kyle Munro, service engineer. And right now, Ramsay also employees three progressing apprentices: Thomas Quinn, fourth-year heating and ventilation; Paul Clancy, second-year heating and ventilation; and Daniel Robertson, second-year service and maintenance.
We have a real focus on continuous, professional development, and in addition to the apprenticeships, also runs in-house development programmes to ensure all employees have a clear, progressive career path – continually improving skills and knowledge learned from other more experienced members of the team and through structured training programmes.
Combining academic study with on-the-job training, apprenticeships are a great work-based qualification route available across a wide range of industries, enabling individuals to gain industry specific skills, work experience, a nationally recognised qualification, and at the same time, a paid role.