Spring 2025

Since April 2024:

• 50 Modern Apprentices
• 2 Graduate Apprentices
• 6 Graduate Interns

have been appointed within the Council.

46 apprentices have completed their current SVQ qualification since April 2024.

45 of our Modern Apprentices and Graduate Interns have moved on to a positive pathway including positions within and outwith the Council and further education since April 2024.

Skills Development Workshop

Ten modern apprentices from across the Council attended the first Skills Development Workshop of 2025 in January.

Aligned with meta-skills and the Council's FACE qualities and behaviours, feedback was that the workshop helped our modern apprentices gain confidence in the workplace and communicate and interact with colleagues.

For more information and to book this course in the future, please email: organisationaldevelopment@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Scottish Apprenticeship Week took place from 3 - 7 March 2025 with the theme of 'Made for Business'.

For our Workforce and Future Skills team, this was a great opportunity to showcase the work that our Modern and Graduate Apprentices are involved in, and to give them a chance to demonstrate the value of the skills they are gaining during their apprenticeship.

Videos were shared on social media showing some of the excellent work that our Modern and Graduate Apprentices have been doing and the positive impact they have made within the Council.

Certification event

The Workforce and Future Skills team organised and held its annual certification event in Council Chambers in November.

Chief Executive Eddie Fraser presented 42 certificates to apprentices who had achieved their qualification between October 2023 and October 2024.

At the event, three apprentices spoke about their journey, what made them apply, what skills and knowledge they have gained, and what the future looks like for them.

Everyone who attended gave positive feedback, and it was an excellent way of highlighting some of the hard work that has been going on across the Council.

Councillor Neal Ingram, Cabinet Spokesperson for Human Resources, closed the event and everyone then celebrated their success in the canteen with tea, coffee and home baking.

Modern Apprentices - Community Activity Team

The CHAT Co-ordinators wanted to highlight the Modern Apprentices they oversee:

"Our apprentices began their journey with CHAT in September 2023. During that time they have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience and have been a great support to our programme. Each of our Modern Apprentices work across our placed based areas in East Ayrshire and we wanted to highlight their work and dedication over the past 17 months."

Charlotte Murray

Charlotte, who works with the Central Team in Kilmarnock, has achieved her Level 3 Modern Apprentice qualification in Leisure Management at SCQF Level 7 as well as completing Walk Leader and Weight Management facilitator training. 

Charlotte has showcased a range of skills since she started with us in October 2023 along with the motivation to learn and grow. She has grown in confidence and built strong relationships while working in partnership with other staff members and participants who attend our specialist exercise classes. People are always full of compliments for Charlotte, commenting on her approachable and caring nature as well as her efficiency and competence at work.

Charlotte’s skills in graphic design have shone through when she has used her creativity to design posters, flyers and other materials to help us showcase our work. Charlotte is working on imparting her wisdom to others in the team so that we can continue the good work she has started once she moves on from her apprenticeship to study Outdoor Education at university later this year.

What Charlotte loves about her job is that she gets to engage with class participants and she finds it so rewarding when they start meeting their goals.  She has enjoyed supporting the Alzheimer’s Scotland group as they learn about Outdoor Education. In her spare time she plays double bass with the Ayrshire Symphony Orchestra and enjoys playing board games with her family.

Erin Hone

Erin is part of the South Team in CHAT and she helps out at classes in Dalmellington, Cumnock and Auchinleck. At these classes she helps set up, welcomes participants as they arrive, and takes the register and money which is then recorded and banked. She also helps out at the Dean Park walk on a Monday and up until recently was leading the health walk at Dumfries House. Erin’s passion is music, with a particular interest in “K-POP”.

In her time with CHAT, Erin has earned her Level 3 Modern Apprentice qualification in Leisure Management at SCQF Level 7. She has also gained her Walk Leader Certificate, Level 4 in Money MOT, and has taken part in online training around Childhood Deafness. 

Erin has said that her work has given her more confidence when talking to and meeting new people. She enjoys learning new skills and has built good relationships with the staff from CHAT.

Greg Logan

Over the last 16 months Greg has been keen to develop his skills and knowledge within his modern apprenticeship. He has been learning about and engaging with the delivery of our service, and always has a friendly, approachable and caring manner.

Greg enjoys sharing his experiences while attending the Young Employee Engagement sessions, and in his spare time he likes to socialise with friends and has a real passion for Dungeons & Dragons.

Greg has achieved his Level 3 Modern Apprentice qualification in Leisure Management at SCQF Level 7. He has also attended Weigh to Go facilitator training which means he can provide advice on healthy eating, and he has completed his Walk Leader Training as well. 

His main responsibilities are welcoming participants at classes, marking their attendance, taking the money and banking it. He also leads the Dean Park and Newmilns Health Walks. 

Young People Engagement Session

Last week the Chief Executive spent time with members of the Young Employee Engagement Group and provided updates on some of the work happening throughout the Council, especially in relation to the budget.

At the session they were also joined by Provost Claire Leitch who talked about her role as Provost and what it's like to be a young elected member. 

The next Young Employee Engagement Group is on Tuesday 10 June and the venue is yet to be confirmed. If you would like to be part of the Young Employee Engagement Group, please email janie.stewart@east-ayrshire.gov.uk to be included in upcoming sessions. 

Graduate Intern sessions

The next session will give Graduate Interns the chance to network, share learning and experiences, and discuss what they would like from these sessions moving forward. 

The next Graduate Intern session will be held on Tuesday 13 May. 

Skills Development Workshop

These sessions will be run by Organisational Development alongside the Workforce & Future Skills Team.

For more information and to book this course, please email: organisationaldevelopment@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

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