12 October 2023
Fife College is providing aspiring young engineers with more opportunities than ever before to earn while they learn.
The college has offered over 130 Engineering Modern Apprenticeship opportunities throughout the region for the 2023/24 academic year, their most ever.
Engineering is a growing industry with an estimated further 8,200 people needed to fill job openings between 2022 and 2025 (Skills Development Scotland) in a sector that offers an average salary of over £37,000.
As well as providing more Engineering Modern Apprenticeships places, the College is also supporting more Modern Apprenticeships than ever before in several other areas including Construction, Health Care Support and Pharmacy Services.
Skills Development Scotland, Scotland's skill agency, announced Modern Apprenticeship numbers for the 2023/24 earlier this year with 400 places awarded to Fife College.
The College runs one of the most substantial Modern Apprenticeship programmes in Scotland with a funding contribution of over £1.8 million from this year’s contract set to support more local employers in developing their workforces.
Miles Lagan, Head of Business Development at Fife College, said:
“With the rapid advancements in technology and the need for innovative solutions in various industries, the demand for highly skilled engineers has never been greater. Fife College recognises this demand and is committed to playing a pivotal role in developing the next generation of engineering talent.
“We are therefore thrilled to provide more Modern Apprenticeship opportunities than ever before for local aspiring engineers to gain the skills and experience needed for a successful career in the engineering sector. These apprenticeships will also play a vital role in addressing the skills gap in the industry while also contributing to the economic growth of our region.”
“Combining working and learning, Modern Apprenticeships are a great way to gain the skills and experiences employers are looking for while also earning. For employers, they are also a great option to develop enthusiastic young talent with the exact skills and experience their business requires.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership work with Skills Development Scotland and local businesses to ensure Fife benefits from the full range of apprenticeship opportunities.”
Billy Scott, Key Sector Manager for Engineering at Scotland’s skills agency, Skills Development Scotland, said:
“The Scottish Engineering & Manufacturing sector is incredibly healthy, with nine consecutive quarters of growth in areas such as Marine, Aerospace, Energy, Space and Rail.
“Apprenticeships in the sector offer people the chance to work, earn and learn skills that are in demand and employers need.”
Modern Apprenticeships are available across many sectors, including life sciences, hospitality, business administration, food and drink operations, warehousing and hairdressing, and more traditional industries such as engineering, construction, plumbing, gas and motor vehicles. They offer those over 16 the opportunity to train for a nationally recognised qualification whilst in paid employment.
In Scotland, Modern Apprenticeships are one of the family of apprenticeships supported by Skills Development Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. Research by Skills Development Scotland found that 91% of Modern Apprentices moved into sustained employment on completion of their apprenticeship.
For more information about the Modern Apprenticeships and other apprenticeship opportunities available in Fife, email sales@fife.ac.uk or visit our apprenticeships pages.