Adopt an apprentice
LOCAL companies are being given money to "adopt" young apprentices who have been made redundant during the recession.
Construction businesses can receive 2,000 to take on an apprentice from the Scottish Government's Adopt an Apprentice scheme to save young tradesmen from the dole queue.
The initiative is to help with Scotland's economic recovery from the effects of the credit crunch, which devastated the construction industry.
Family-run SK Bruce Joinery Manufacturing of West Calder took advantage of the funding to "adopt" 20-year-old Paul McIlduff, from Fauldhouse, who lost his job two years into a joinery apprenticeship.
One of the other two apprentices at SK Bruce who was in Paul's class at West Lothian College asked Sandy and Karen Bruce, who own the company, if they would consider taking him on.
The couple thought they could only give Paul a couple of weeks' work, but decided to take him on full-time through the adoption scheme to allow him to finish his apprenticeship and he started in May.
"I'm really grateful to Sandy and Karen for taking me on as I was only two years into the four-year apprenticeship," said Paul, whose uncle is also a joiner.
"Things are going good here and it's a great company to work for. I've still got another year of college to go and I'm glad to still be in work after losing my job."
Paul's boss Sandy, 43, said: "He's a good lad. My wife Karen was the one who thought it was a good opportunity for both the company and for Paul. We might even take another apprentice on next year."
Education secretary, Lothians MSP Fiona Hyslop, said companies like SK Bruce and West Lothian College have an important role to play in turning around Scotland's economy.
West Lothian College has been able to admit more construction apprentices to courses with additional funding from the government.
Speaking at the college Ms Hyslop said: "We all have a role to play in helping Scotland move forward through the recession.
"I am delighted to see that West Lothian College are able to help the job prospects of people on their construction course.
"I am also encouraged to see that employers across Scotland are taking the Scottish Government up on their offer of financial support through our Adopt An Apprentice scheme.
"We want to raise awareness amongst those employers who still may not know about the scheme. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council have recognised the key role that Colleges play."
Principal of West Lothian College Mhairi Laughlin added: "We have been able to offer increased student places in areas that can help to push the economy out of recession both now and in the future.
"At West Lothian we work to ensure that students receive both the learning and practical skills needed within a vocational environment, with a large part of this achieved through business links and modern apprentice schemes."
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Weather for Bathgate
Friday 18 May 2012
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Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
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