Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2021
Rachael’s Modern Apprenticeship journey with Social Security Scotland
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2021 celebrates apprentices and the benefits apprenticeships bring to organisations, individuals and the economy.
Modern Apprenticeships open up the world of work to people from different backgrounds and skillsets. Social Security Scotland proudly supports the Scottish Government Modern Apprenticeship Programme.
To mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Rachael Millar, one of our client experience advisors, shared her apprenticeship experience. She told us about how she found herself starting a Modern Apprenticeship with Social Security Scotland and how she has found working so far.
What was your journey to becoming a Modern Apprentice?
“I had just left studying for a qualification in nursing and found myself in a peculiar situation. I was underqualified for many jobs due to only having part time work experience but over qualified for others due to my Higher National Certificate.
“I hadn’t thought about an apprenticeship originally as I was under the impression you had to be fresh out of high school, but was pleasantly surprised to find that to be wrong.
“After months of searching I found the job advert for the role I’m in now and the rest is history!”
Do you have any advice for people thinking about starting a Modern Apprenticeship?
"If you are dyslexic a Modern Apprenticeship is 100% for you. Reading books and studying isn't that effective when your brain is wired the way a dyslexic mind is. I crash and burned at school, I thought studying the same way as everyone else was the best way for me to learn as it worked for everyone else. I didn't even find out I was dyslexic until two weeks before my final exams in 6th year. But with a Modern Apprenticeship not only do you work and earn money, all the learning and modules in your apprenticeship are directly related to the job. It is so easy to learn when you've already been practicing what you're learning about every day!”
“There are no silly questions. You hear that in school but you don’t believe it as there’s always one kid that makes comments about it being obvious but in a work environment, especially with Social Security Scotland they actually want you to ask questions.
“It shows you are not scared to reach out for help, you understand your limits and it also is a great way to see how you have progressed. The same thing I used to ask so many questions on I actually answer now. It made me feel like I was progressing well as just the week before I had no clue.
“You will notice as well in work environments it’s not just the new starts that ask questions, everyone does. Don’t hold back asking because you don’t want to look stupid, it’s those who don’t ask and risk it that are at jeopardy.”
If you are interested in learning more about apprenticeships you can visit the Skills Development Scotland website: myworldofwork.co.uk
The Young Person’s Guarantee is the opportunity of a job, placement, training or volunteering for every 16-24 year old in Scotland - based on your goals and ambitions. Find out more at myworldofwork.co.uk/youngperso...
Job Start Payment is £250 for 16-24 year olds who have been on certain benefits for six months and have been offered paid employment. Read more on mygov.scot/jobstart