A Highland Perthshire visitor attraction’s commitment to offering local young people opportunities has won it a place as a finalist in the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
The Scottish Crannog Centre near Kenmore is up for a gong in the SME Employer of the Year – Promoting Diversity category.
Bosses at the educational visitor centre on the banks of Loch Tay believe building a diverse Crannog community is the best way to engage with a diverse audience.
Foundation apprentices who started in October 2022 are now being mentored by second year apprentices.
By working with DYW Perth and No One Left Behind, as well as taking on Modern Apprentices in partnership with Perthshire Autism Society, they aim to ensure opportunities are available for everyone.
The centre has worked with seven Modern Apprentices who deliver interpretation, take tours and engage with 50,000 visitors as they work towards qualifications in customer service and museum and galleries practice.
Former apprentices Georgia Holmes and Isobelle Hanby grew in confidence so much during their apprenticeships that they were able to travel to Australia and work.
Scottish Crannog Centre assistant director Rachel Backshall said: “The scheme has kept young people invested in the area and in their own careers beyond the apprenticeship.
“Georgia became a duty manager at the museum for 12 months.
“Isobelle finished her apprenticeship and was snapped up by Castle Howard Museum, and then the Jorvik centre as a museum interpreter, jobs she was supported in getting through her experience here and the references.
“Now they are travelling to Australia for six months. They keep in touch with our current apprentices, send photos to all our team and are real role models.
“Daisy and Toby have stayed on to begin new apprenticeships in spring with us, and we are working with the SQA to pilot a new award in coppicing, green wood working, heritage and woodland management.
“It’s amazing when compared to when they first came here, they were so shy they could hardly speak.
"Ralf started in July and is doing incredibly well, delivering tours to groups of 20+ people every day, and learning green woodworking and coppicing ready for the new museum build."
Winners will be revealed at the free virtual ceremony on Wednesday, March 8 at 7pm with more information on the awards’ website.
