Graduates complete apprenticeship scheme

THE Scottish Parliament has celebrated the first new wave of apprentices to complete a brand new Modern Apprenticeship scheme.

MSP Nigel Don recently presented the four graduates of the Scottish Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship Council (SPADAC) – including the first woman to qualify through the scheme – with their SVQ Level 3 certificates.

The SNP MSP, who chairs the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group for Construction, also highlighted the significant milestone achievement for the Scottish construction industry.

Set up three years ago at the request of the industry, SPADAC’s four-year training programme aims to better represent apprentices within the painting and decorating sector, leads to sustained employment and nurtures the next leaders of industry. It is a partnership between SPADAC, CITB-ConstructionSkills – the national training body for construction apprentices – and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Scot Black, and Marc Dunn, both 20 and from George Nicolson Decorators Ltd in Edinburgh, were transferred to the new apprenticeship scheme shortly after it was established in 2009. They have completed a Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 3.