The Highland Council's trade apprenticeship scheme is being hailed a big success as it enters its fifth year, with trainees proving to be a valuable addition to the Building Maintenance Team within the Housing and Property Service.

A total of 22 young people have been trained over the last four years and the latest recruitment drive for six first year apprentices attracted more than 300 applications.

The intake includes two apprentices, who had completed their first year’s training with other firms and been made redundant due to the recession.

The first four apprentices to complete their training and gain SVQ Level 3 Qualification have now secured full-time jobs.

They are: Michael Ewan, a plumber based in Alness; Luke Salidas, a plumber based in Dornoch; Andrew MacDonald, a plumber based in Fort William; and Stuart MacDonald, an electrician based in Fort William.

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The scheme was re-introduced in 2004 after an absence of eight years and is proving such a success that the range of apprenticeships has been widened from joinery, painting, plumbing and electrical works to include building and roofing.

The apprentices are supported by trades operatives and supervisors and they attend college in Inverness, Thurso, or Alness on a block release basis.

Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee, said: "The Council is committed to increasing training and apprenticeships opportunities across the Highlands and our trade apprenticeship scheme contributes to ensuring that skills shortages in the construction sector are addressed. I am delighted to see the first four apprentices complete their training and take up full-time jobs. Feedback from newly qualified trainees is that they have received a well rounded apprenticeship.

"Apprentices now represent 20% of our building and maintenance workforce. By widening the apprenticeship scheme to building and roofing we can expand apprenticeships for young people in the Highlands.

"Also, where appropriate, we will include training in renewable technologies to ensure that our workforce skills are developed to meet future maintenance needs of renewable systems."

Funding for the apprenticeship training is currently provided through The Highland Council at a cost of £287,000 with additional support from the three main trade organisations: Construction Skills, the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust, and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbers Employers Federation.

(GK/KMcA)