A YOUNG Buckie apprentice is hoping her experiences will help inspire more women locally to consider following a career in
engineering . Last year, Rebecca Macmillan (23) joined the growing ranks of Modern Apprentices at Forth Valley College by embarking on the prestigious Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (Ogtap). This programme is supported the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB). ECITB, the statutory skills body for the engineering construction industry, sponsors the training of Ogtap apprentices on behalf of various partner companies. In August 2018 Forth Valley College registered a record number of female engineering modern apprentices (MAs) for an academic year. A total of 19 women Modern Apprentices, including those supported by ECITB – covering areas such as welding and fabrication, instrumentation, power distribution and mechanical engineering – are studying for their apprenticeships at the FVC Falkirk Campus. FVC business development staff who are mentoring the MAs – David Quinney, Lorna Allison, Alanna Robertson, Vicki Francis, Frances Tasker and Lorraine Kerr – are all hoping the record number of female engineering MAs, will inspire more and more to become interested in careers within the industry. Ms McMillan, who works as an MA for Petrofac, said: “As I had not had any previous engineering experience prior to this apprenticeship, I am thoroughly enjoying the total change and the mixture of subjects.
“The facilities provide exactly what is required for the course and gives us a feel of what the equipment could be like offshore. “The lecturers are kind, positive and very knowledgeable, as most have worked in the industry previously. “The Modern Apprenticeship in engineering offers amazing opportunities and is a well-recognised programme. “You will learn about the industry from the lecturers as well as all information for the required subjects.” Chris Claydon, chief executive of the ECITB, said: “Attracting more young women into engineering is crucial if we are to address the growing skills shortages facing the industry in Scotland and across the UK. “Modern apprenticeships are a fantastic route into engineering and we’re delighted to be supporting these four young apprentices on the OGTAP programme at Forth Valley College. “They are turning traditional stereotypes on their head by showing that engineering is an attractive and rewarding career path for talented and ambitious young women.”