The Modern Apprenticeships programme is open to anyone aged 16 and above who is aiming to achieve Scottish Vocational Qualifications at Level 2 or above.

As a Modern Apprentice, you are employed from day one and can train in a whole range of jobs at craft, technician and even trainee management level. Training equip's the apprentice with the skills to meet the future needs of the industry the apprenticship is in.

Apprenticeships are achieved at a pace and within a timescale appropriate to the individual and the employer, normally takeing between 2 and 4 years. 

Modern Apprenticeships are available in a number of sectors, ranging from traditional industries and trades to sports coaching an children's care and development.

A Modern Apprenticeship will also give you a range of 'soft skills' to draw upon, including sound communication, teamwork and problem solving skills, and improved numerical and IT skills - all of which are invaluable to any employer.

Skills Development Scotland run an annual Modern Apprenticeship Awards, celebrating the achievements of individual apprentices and their employers. 2011 marks the 10th year of the awards, entries are being accepted now for 9 categories, ranging from Service Apprentice of the year to Advanced Apprentice of the year for the apprentices to Best Business Newcomer for employers delivering the apprenticeships.

Visit Skills Development Scotland's website for nomination details.

Case study

Thomas Davidson, 18. Modern Apprentice with Scottish Rugby Union, Glasgow. 2010 winner of the non-traditional sector category for those aged 16-19 and overall Modern Apprentice of the Year 2010.

What is your Modern Apprenticeship in?

My Modern Apprenticeship is with Scottish Rugby Union.

What did you want to be when you were 5?

When I was 5 years old I personally think I was like most young boys at that age wanting to be a football player or a policeman.

What were your favourite subjects at school?

In school I enjoyed the more hands on subjects; sitting down in a class room wasn’t my thing. That’s why the Modern Apprenticeship was good for me. My favourite subjects were Physical Education where I always did well, Woodworking skills as this was always about making things and Metal engineering I only had a taster in this of which I really enjoyed.

Did you have an idea of a job you would like to do when growing up?

For a number of years I always wanted to do something in the sports industry as I enjoyed sport so much, but didn’t know what it was I wanted to do. When I started helping out coaching at local rugby Easter and summer camps that was when I realised that a career path in Rugby Development or a P.E teacher was something I really wanted to do.

How did you hear about Modern Apprenticeships?

I always had a knowledge of Modern Apprenticeships since going into Secondary school as this is what a lot of young people try to get into when leaving. However I always thought of an Apprenticeship as being in the building sector (e.g. plumbers, joiners, electricians). I had no idea you could do a Modern Apprenticeship related to sport until I heard about the one the Scottish Rugby Unions was doing through my local Rugby Club, Carth Queen's Park RFC.

What attracted you to undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship?

The main attraction for me personally was the mass experience I would gain from the Apprenticeship. I knew going to college would gain me the qualifications that were needed, but wouldn’t give me anywhere near the experience a Modern Apprenticeship would give me as well as the equivalent of many qualifications. 

What does your apprenticeship practically entail (college attendance and on the job training)?

For my Apprenticeship personally it was a 2 year course depending on your performance in your 1^st year whether you got accepted for the2nd year. As the Apprenticeship was with the Scottish Rugby Union I would be in Edinburgh twice a month in the Rugby National Stadium (Murrayfield) and this would act as my college days. Whilst being there I would be building a portfolio of my work over the 2 years and undergoing any coaching courses I needed as well as many other activities. The rest of my time was spent out in primary/secondary schools coaching young children Rugby Union or in an office environment organizing school timetables/festivals etc, so I was getting the experience of coaching and office work.

What is the best part of your apprenticeship?

Although there are many parts of my apprenticeship which stand out, the best part has to be; seeing the reaction and change in children’s opinion of not only you but the sport you are coaching. The children start seeing you as a role model and really look up to you and having that feeling is amazing, also they really start to enjoy Rugby Union many of them actually going on to play for a club.

What has the Modern Apprenticeship done for you?

The apprenticeship has helped me in many different ways. It has gave me so much confidence in not only my ability to coach but myself as a person in everyday activities. Also coaching Rugby it helped me hugely with my own performance playing, as I had a much better knowledge and understanding of what was happening etc. If it wasn’t for the Modern Apprenticeship I wouldn’t have been able to get into a HND Sports Coaching Course at College as you need Highers, but the experience I gained from the apprenticeship and the qualifications I gained during it helped me achieve a place in the course.

What advice would you give a young person considering doing a modern apprenticeship?

I would say make sure you have a knowledge and understanding of what the apprenticeship needs and entails. Mainly though anyone out there considering doing a Modern Apprenticeship, no matter what it is in I would say grab the opportunity with both hands and you’ll certainly never look back on your decisions.

How did it feel when you won the Overall Modern Apprenticeship Award last year?

Even now months after winning it, it still seems a bit surreal. On the awards night to win the award in my sector was an outstanding achievement something which I never expected to happen but to win the Overall award really is a phenomenal achievement. The way I felt that night after discovering I had won the award really is difficult to put into words, for me it gave me a great sense of pride in all the work I had put in.

Follow the link to listen to an interview with Thomas and his experiences as an apprentice and winning the awards in 2010.

Nominations closed for the 2011 awards on September 8th 2011.

To search for Modern Apprenticeship opportunities across various job sectors, ranging from construction and care to IT  visit Apprenticeships in Scotland.