Specialised training opportunities for apprentices

Carnegie College has made significant Engineering investment to meet the training needs of a major energy supplier, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE). Responding to feedback and consultation with the Engineering Sector, the college made a £1 million investment in equipment and training facilities at our Rosyth campus. We designed and commissioned an Industrial Pressure Control and Instrumentation Plant* that will allow SSE’s Generation Apprentices to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in a realistic simulated environment similar to that found in the workplace. For many years SSE has operated one of the largest apprenticeship schemes in Scotland and have 60 attending Carnegie College. They have specific needs for our Renewable, Generation, Power Distribution and Gas businesses and Carnegie College has stepped up to the challenge by designing and delivering training programmes that meet these needs. Professor Bill McIntosh, Principal, Carnegie College added "The College is very happy to be working in partnership with SSE on the next stage of this exciting initiative.” Jim Brown (Skills Director Scotland – EU Skills) said: “What SSE and Carnegie College have achieved is unique in the Energy Sector in Scotland”. MSPs John Park and Jim Tolson met with the apprentices and visited Carnegie’s Engineering workshops at Rosyth, joined by Carnegie College Principal and representatives from SSE. John Park MSP commented "I know from firsthand experience what a great opportunity an apprenticeship provides for those lucky enough to get one and I congratulate Carnegie College and Scottish & Southern Energy for developing these new positions "We mustn't forget that the skills they are learning are not just important to them as individuals, they are vitally important to helping Scotland meet the challenge of climate change while ensuring security of energy supply and delivering sustainable economic growth." Published: 20 August 2009