Apprentices full of praise for opportunity with major Cumnock employer with support from 9CC Group
APPRENTICES at a major Cumnock employer have been full of praise for the life-changing opportunities handed to them.
A group of young workers from Emergency One were speaking as it was announced that a record 150 people have applied to join a community funded apprenticeship scheme at the company.
The announcement was made as a cheque for £48,000 was handed over by the 9CC Group to help fund the £1.5 million initiative over four years for 20 trade apprentices.
The first group of apprentices are due to finish their first year in the summer.
Full of praise for the opportunity, apprentice Brody Lopez said: “It’s brilliant having this opportunity because it’s hard to get a job like this, especially with so many people applying for it.
“I love it. I actually enjoy coming to my work because I enjoy the work that I do and I enjoy being with the people I work with.”
Kaitlyn Barrie, who admitted struggling with qualifications at school, added: "An apprenticeship was always something I wanted to do and having this opportunity so close to home is perfect.
“It’s so inclusive at Emergency One and it was an easy process to get involved and it’s vital to be able to go into an environment like this when you’re earning money and continuing to earn as you go.
“If anybody is thinking this then definitely go for it. Emergency One is the best place”.
Support from the 9CC Group has allowed the opportunities to be presented to school leavers and youngsters within the Cumnock and Doon Valley area, as Emergency One continues to grow.
The four-year course is the first Ayrshire employability partnership using windfarm community benefit to provide local apprenticeships through employability schemes.
The investment also covers equipment, including PPE, and employment support for the duration of their apprenticeships. Ayrshire College is working with Emergency One as the training provider to offer qualifications.
Alex Baird, chair of The 9CC Group, added: “We are delighted by the positive impact the partnership has already delivered for our young people.
"Part of our strategic vision is to deliver a lasting legacy for our communities and creating career opportunities for our young people is a vital part of that.
“The initiative with Emergency One and East Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership has already launched the careers of the first group of apprentices, and we are delighted that we can now announce the next round of recruitment.”
Brian Girvan, production director at Emergency One, says days like these are vital for the company to be able to continuing growing and expanding with the demand for local opportunities.
Apprentice Mason Duncan added he enjoyed the hands-on role at Emergency One, and said: “There’s a lot of good people working here that it makes it easier.”
Fellow apprentice, Fraser Hume said: “When I left school I knew it was something electrical I wanted to do, but I wasn’t exactly sure what that was.
“But being from the area and knowing about Emergency One helped me make my decision."
While apprentice MacKenzie Simpson stated: “The opportunity came along in college and the more research I did showed that it was somewhere I wanted to work.
“It’s important to have a company like this for the local youngsters if they maybe don’t drive and it’s accessible as well."
Credit to Stuart Reid at Newsquest for the above article.
For more information please refer to the 9CCG website
