Apprenticeship trio are an asset to SLC
To mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we hear from three SLC colleagues who are proving why apprenticeships are so valuable.
Andrew McDowall (32), Cairn Forster (25) and Bohdan Shevchuk (19) are all members of SLC’s Asset Management team and have been involved in our IT and Telecommunications Apprenticeship programme which is run in partnership with, training provider, Sixth Sense.
Andrew and Cairn have just successfully completed the programme while new recruit, Bohdan started his apprenticeship journey in January.
Andrew, a Senior IT Service Manager explained: “I joined SLC six years ago and prior to that I was in the Merchant Navy. Before joining the navy, I worked for IBM, and I was keen to return to the tech industry. I applied for an Asset Management role with SLC and received a job offer from them the day before I was due to go back on the boat – it felt like it was meant to be.
“I progressed my career quite quickly within SLC, but it was always at the back of my mind that I never went on to do any further study after completing my Highers at school. When Cairn joined the team as an apprentice, I looked at his programme and thought it was something I could explore. I spoke to SLC’s Emerging Talent Specialist, Stacey Wylie, and was pleased to find out that as an existing employee, I could join the apprentice programme too. Cairn and I became apprentices together.”
Cairn originally moved to Glasgow from Dumfries to go to university but found that an apprenticeship was a better match for him. He applied to SLC’s apprenticeship programme in 2021.
He said: “An apprenticeship seemed like the best of both worlds to me. I really wanted to study but I didn’t feel like university was the right fit for me. With the apprenticeship I had the opportunity to study and gain work experience in an interesting job at the same time.
“We were given a fifth of our week to focus on our studies which worked well. It was also good to be doing the apprenticeship alongside Andrew as there was always someone to talk to about the course.”
At the end of the apprenticeship Cairn was delighted to be offered a permanent position at SLC he added: “When I found out I had got the job I couldn’t stop smiling – I am looking forward to building on my current qualification and continuing to progress my career at SLC.”
With Cairn moving in to his new role the team were keen to find a new apprentice to replace him. In January they welcomed Bohdan to the team. Bohdan moved to the UK from Ukraine, where he had been working as a graphic designer in May 2022.
He said: “I’d been in the UK for around seven months when I saw the apprenticeship advertised. It was exactly what I was looking for and gave me an opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people. It hasn’t taken me long to settle in. What I like about SLC is that people here treat each other with respect, no matter where you come from, people are kind and supportive. My current role requires problem solving, pattern solving and even creativity, so that’s great for me. I feel like I’ve started a new life.”
Andrew, Cairn and Bohdan are now all looking forward to a bright future in SLC’s Asset Management team and would encourage others to follow the apprenticeship route.
Andrew said: “Some companies can be like a revolving door for employees, but SLC really invests in colleagues and helps them to grow and develop their careers. Our story is a great example of this.”
Stacey Wylie, Emerging Talent Specialist at SLC said: ‘Apprenticeships are a key component of our people strategy. Apprentices play a significant role in helping SLC to grow our own talent, ensuring we have colleagues equipped with the skills and expertise we need for our complex, ever-changing business now and in the future.’
SLC is currently recruiting for 12 new apprentices in Hillington. To find out more and apply visit https://slc.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SLC_Careers/details/Apprentice-Student-Finance-Officer_JR5004