MSP Maree Todd meets apprentices when visiting Inverness childcare centre
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A Scottish Government minister visited an Inverness childcare centre as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Maree Todd, who is the minister for children and young people, visited the Wimberley Estate Childcare Centre where she met with graduate and foundation apprentices from Inverness College UHI.
The centre is run by the Care and Learning Alliance (CALA).
Highland MSP Mrs Todd said: "It has been inspirational to see the huge contribution they are all making to the care and learning of our young children.
"Apprenticeships are available for people of all ages, from foundation apprenticeships for those at school, to modern and graduate apprenticeships.
"They provide a work-based qualification and allow people joining the early learning and childcare sector to 'earn as they learn'."
Emma MacFarlane, a graduate apprentice at the centre, said: "This is the perfect opportunity for myself, as this is a complete career change for me.
"I have always had a passion for childcare and the graduate apprenticeship opened up the opportunity to work and study to gain a degree over three years, perfect for my stage of life. I am really enjoying the role and the hands on experience brings the study to life.”
Her manager Julia McNeil said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to have Emma in the setting and to be involved in supporting her to gain her degree – she is an asset to the centre.”
Jake Weston, who is a 16-year-old S5 pupil at Charleston Academy, currently attends the college to study a social services foundation apprenticeship.
He said: “I did a growing together course at school, which involved running activities with young children in the nursery. I really enjoyed it so continued helping afterwards.
"The opportunity to study this foundation apprenticeship came up and I decided it was a career I was interested in finding out more about. I am really enjoying it.
"There are some things you just can’t learn in the classroom and it’s been fantastic combining study with the work placements. It’s amazing seeing young people grow and develop into their own characters.”
Jake has already completed a work placement at Kinmylies Nursery and will return for the second year of his apprenticeship.
Leo McCall, who is a 16-year-old S5 pupil from Fortrose Academy and also attends the college to study the same foundation apprenticeship, added “I’ve worked with children in the past through PE classes at school and really enjoyed it, so I was really keen to take my knowledge further and learn about child development."
He has already completed a work placement at CALA-managed Fortrose Pre-School and will also return for the second year of his apprenticeship.
“It was really interesting," he said. "I was able to use what I’ve learned in college and put it into practice, which was great. Being able to undertake work experience is really valuable. It has given me experience to put on my CV, but also confidence to work in different environments with different people.”
Related article: Scottish Government finance minister Kate Forbes visits Inverness tech company as part of events for Scottish Apprenticeship Week
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