Pictured above: Students Craig Rowe and Craig Lochart, now employed by Hugh Fulton Group.

The programme, designed to fully prepare students to start their career as apprentice electricians, is following an innovative approach endorsed by one of the industry's key player - the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust SECTT.

“I am delighted with the positive impact the pre-apprenticeship Electrical Installation programme is having on young people, most of whom are achieving full time sustainable employment and a highly rewarding career.” – Anne Galbraith, Chief Executive at SECTT

Collaborating with a range of partners including the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), SECTT, the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) and John Mather Trust, we always strive to enhance our pre-apprentice Electrical Engineering programme to better prepare students and meet the industry’s evolving needs.

Students following the course benefit from creative teaching approaches, such as project working, STEM study camps and peer evaluation. The STEM residential camps, based at the Rowardennan Youth Hostel, provide pre-apprentices with a stimulating learning environment and opportunities to bring their STEM skills to life through very practical and engaging problem solving activities.

“I’ve been working with West College Scotland on the science component of the course. One of the significant teaching changes we made is to place a greater emphasis on practical activities that inspire students and help develop their science literacy.” – Graeme Arnott, SECTT Training Officer and STEM Camp Veteran

We also make sure our students get a flavour of real life working environments by, for expample, organising forums where employers, existing apprentices and pre-apprentices meet to investigate the realities of working in the industry.

Links between students and employers are further strengthen thanks to our close collaboration with SECTT and especially their Training Officer George McCann. George works closely with employers to identify their requirements and facilitates a student selection and recruitment service.

 “This collaborative approach with SECTT has developed over the last few years and it really dividends for the employers, pre-apprentices and the College. Numbers of employers are now consistently and exclusively using this service to recruit and also guide potential employees to complete the programme prior to gaining an apprenticeship.”– Joe Mulholland, West College Scotland Curriculum Quality Leader

Do you want to start an exciting and rewarding career in Engineering? Browse our Engineering courses catalogue to find the one which suits you best and apply.

Pictured above: Student Zach McGowan, now employed by Emtec Group and Student Robert Smith, now employed by Railway Electrical Services