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, Meldrum is committed to playing a positive role in our community and doing our part to nurture the next generation of talent.
Over the years we have offered several apprenticeships and work experience opportunities to local people.
To this day, we have 3 members of our team who have successfully completed apprenticeships with us and have continued to work for us and further enhance their skills and knowledge.
We also 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.
One of the things we are most proud of is our support of the Joinery department at the University of Highlands & Islands. For many years we have provided the funding for an annual scholarship for students studying Joinery and Builder careers. The student who is awarded the scholarship can use the funding to purchase tools and also benefits from regular work experience with us for the duration of their studies.
Along with offering Apprenticeships, we also do our best to offer work experience placements. Most recently we welcomed Rosie from Perth High School to Meldrum on a one day a week work experience placement over the Summer of 2021. Rosie was keen to explore a career in joinery after leaving school, so we were delighted to offer this opportunity.
Meldrum 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.
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.