Two privately owned Scottish companies are this month demonstrating their commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent, providing young people with a gateway to skilled employment at a time when jobs are hard to come by.
Brodie Engineering, which overhauls, refurbishes and maintains passenger and freight trains from its two depots in Kilmarnock, is taking on a further five apprentices while also offering more student placements this month. It builds on the family-owned Brodie’s reputation for offering apprenticeships, having taken on 30 since 2017; 11 are currently working with the company at various stages of their training.
Brodie, which has a total workforce of nearly 150 people, said its training and apprenticeship programme allows it to develop the talent it needs while providing entry-level jobs to the local market. Many of its apprentices have gone on to establish careers with the business, which provides services to operators such as ScotRail and Northern Rail.
Alongside the latest intake of apprenticeships, which are delivered with Ayrshire College, the company is also running a summer placement this month for three undergraduates who have signalled their interest in working in the industry.
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Director Debbie Hilferty, who founded Brodie with her husband Gerry in 1996, said: “We aim to give our apprentices and those on the summer placements some really good experience on the shop floor, so it is ideal for those who want to be welders, coach builders, engineers or get exposure to other business functions like human resources.
“Brodie Engineering has been a family-run business for 30 years and is one of only two companies of its type in Scotland, so, for those with an enthusiasm for engineering and the rail industry, this is a great opportunity to build a career. Many of our previous apprentices have done just that.
“We are always on the lookout for people with a genuine interest in this area, who can bring enthusiasm along with a strong work ethic and a commitment to high standards – all of which are key to helping us continue to deliver a quality service to the rail industry.”
Ms Hilferty added: “We know nurturing the skills of the next generation and investing in young people in particular is essential to the long-term strength and sustainability of our business. We are also proud of being able to offer young people in Kilmarnock and Ayrshire the opportunity to work in an exciting industry – particularly at a time when we know young people are struggling to find work.
“At Brodie Engineering, they will get the chance to work on some really impressive rail vehicles, which are often stripped right back when they come in for an overhaul.”
Brodie’s commitment to the next generation is mirrored by CCG (Scotland), the Glasgow-based construction and manufacturing company. The Herald revealed this week that the company 21 trade apprentices will join the company month, its biggest intake since before the coronavirus pandemic.
The young people, aged between 16 and 20 years old, will undertake their apprenticeships as joiners, bricklayers, plumbers and electricians, and will serve across the Glasgow-based company’s construction division and subsidiaries.
David Wylie, managing director of CCG (Scotland), said: “Investing £2.4m in this year's intake is one of the clearest demonstrations we can give of our commitment to the next generation, and to the long-term future of the Scottish construction industry.”
“This is our largest trade intake since before the pandemic, and it comes at a time when many businesses across the sector, particularly SMEs, are under real pressure. For us, sustained investment in people isn't optional; it's fundamental to how we plan for growth, protect jobs, and continue delivering against a £500m pipeline of work.”
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