West Fraser has a long-standing commitment to its local communities and has forged close relationships with schools and colleges in the Inverness and Cowie areas to provide the best possible start to young people’s working lives through the provision of Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) engineering apprenticeships. The comprehensive four-year programme prepares apprentices for a career at West Fraser, with opportunities for future leadership roles. And the apprenticeship scheme not only addresses immediate skills needs but also nurtures talent for future leadership, contributing to the company’s growth and sustainability. By integrating education with practical experience and offering clear progression pathways, the company ensures apprentices are well-prepared to contribute effectively and advance within the organisation.
West Fraser’s apprenticeship opportunities are advertised through advertising on social media and through outreach to educational institutions and local job fairs.
With an annual intake, candidates attend interviews in early June with offers being made by the end of June to allow for on-site orientation before college starts in August.
As is common with apprenticeships, new starters can expect on-the-job training combined with day release to a local college. Those joining the company straight from school take part in an on-site familiarisation, followed by a year at college focusing on practical and theoretical training leading to a national certificate. New starters joining from college immediately engage in on-site work while attending college on day a week to further enhance skills and knowledge.
Gordon McArthur, Engineering Manager at Cowie, recognises the value of the apprenticeship programme, having started in the company as an apprentice, and now overseeing the latest recruits. “The programme has served us incredibly well over the years” said Gordon. “Apprentices who have come through the system now make up over 40% of the maintenance/engineering workforce and many go on to supervisory roles”.
Gordon explained that the programme provides the opportunity to train apprentices to work with confidence on the complex systems and processes on site and is the ideal answer to the challenge of recruiting staff with the exacting skill set and experience required in such a specialist industry. For Gordon “the best part of the programme is seeing the change in the apprentices as they grow in confidence and skill level over the four years”.
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