Institution news
Over 1,000 people are employed at the Inverness facility, which is regarded as a centre of excellence for those working in the field of diabetes. In 2014, LifeScan Scotland was named Large Employer of the Year at Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeship awards.
Gavin Ross, Engineering Manager, runs the scheme. A Chartered engineer, he is proud and passionate about the emphasis on learning at LifeScan Scotland.
He said: “Our scheme has evolved over a number of years. It has great structure and support from senior managers across the company. In fact the Accreditation process revealed we had all the appropriate mechanisms already in place to conform to the Institution's standards.”
LifeScan Scotland works closely with Inverness College UHI on the apprenticeship programme. Gavin notes that every one of the scheme’s graduates has been offered further employment at LifeScan Scotland.
Gavin said: “Accreditation from the Institution is a great boost for the engineering apprenticeship scheme. This endorsement will help us to continue to attract young people and develop talent here in the Highlands.”
Sandra Mulligan, the Institution’s Business Development Manager for Scotland, said: “Having worked with LifeScan Scotland and the graduates on their monitored professional development scheme (MPDS) over the years, I’m delighted to see that the excellent training and development opportunities that the company offers to apprentices has also been recognised and approved by the Institution. I hope that they will be taking part in our 2016 Apprentice of the Year Competition.”
Eilidh Peat, an engineering apprentice, said: “The apprenticeship programme at LifeScan Scotland has given me a great opportunity to gain invaluable practice skills and experience across the different value streams on site. For the four years of the programme you get to continue your studies. I’m delighted by the end of the apprenticeship I will have completed my degree in electrical and mechanical engineering.”
Gavin explains that there is high competition for apprenticeship places, and that the culture of learning, development, and sharing knowledge and skills – as well as gaining professional registration – is upheld across the business, to the benefit of all. Apprentices carry out real, relevant projects as part of their training, which add value to the company as well as to their academic learning.
He said: “We have the structure, the education, and the people involved are passionate about, and committed to, engineering. LifeScan Scotland recognises that learning is vital, and the value to the business of nurturing our existing staff, developing people and retaining them is very high. There is a business benefit as well as enhancing skills.
“As engineers we solve problems and it doesn’t matter if you’re an apprentice or an engineering manager or director, it all stems from the same skills set. At LifeScan Scotland we are quite geographically isolated, and that is an additional motivator to train our own people in the systems that are important to us. We are, however, part of the global network of Johnson & Johnson and our apprentices have the huge benefit of being able to consult colleagues across many continents.”
Gavin feels gaining Accreditation with the Institution was a natural step for LifeScan Scotland, and that engineers at the company recognise that their professional career will benefit from membership of a professional engineering institution.
He said: “They get the latest engineering thinking, continued professional development, insurance, networking, training, and events. It is important that people engage with the Institution and see that organisation as a positive partner throughout their career, to raise the profile of the industry and the essential skills and qualities of being an engineer.”
Visit EngTech Apprenticeship Scheme to find out more, or contact Sandra Mulligan.