Gordon and MacPhail encouraging people to consider modern apprenticeships
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A MORAY business is encouraging people to consider a career in manufacturing as they celebrate the success of their first Modern Apprenticeship scheme in Operations.
Six apprentices signed up with Gordon and MacPhail back in January 2022 to complete the training development programme while working in a variety of posts in the bottling and warehousing parts of the business.
The first group have now successfully completed their apprenticeships and achieved qualifications recognised throughout the industry.
Due to its success, the company is encouraging others to consider a modern apprenticeship in manufacturing.
Becky Pearce, head of the company's human resources department, said: “Working in the whisky sector is fascinating and it offers a whole range of opportunities.
"A modern apprenticeship isn’t just for those starting out in their career.
"Some of our recent graduates had been working with us for 10 years and this was an opportunity to learn new skills and progress within the company.
“Like many other businesses, we are facing a shortage of staff and there are fewer people entering the industry. Yet the food and drink sector is an exciting one that includes many different roles from visitor experiences to marketing and finance.
"There are great opportunities here and a real chance to progress in your career.”
In order to deliver the Operations Modern Apprenticeships, the company had to create a bespoke training framework which ensures the combination of on-the-job training and specially tailored programmes to lead to an industry recognised qualification.
Modern apprenticeships offer opportunities for people of all ages and skills to develop their career.
Martin Forsyth originally joined the business in 2016 as a bottling line operator, moving to working in the warehouse team where he focussed his MA on distribution skills.
He’s now delighted to have secured a new secondment. He said: “The modern apprenticeship has helped me improve my skills and made it possible for me to progress within the team.
"The others in the team have been great and really helped me complete the MA.”
For Jackie Shiels, her graduation as a modern apprentice has coincided with her 10-year anniversary with Gordon and MacPhail.
She has worked in a variety of roles within the company and has most recently been working on the bottling line as a process technician, or a “fixer” as she likes to describe it.
She added: “Gordon and MacPhail is a great company to work for and I’ve had the chance to take on all sorts of different roles so was happy to have the chance to gain even more knowledge and skills.”
Becky Pearce added: “Martin’s achievements showcase the opportunities available to people within the manufacturing industry and Jackie shows there is always the chance to try new things and develop your career within the industry.
“One of our main objectives is to create jobs which offer career progression at a manageable pace.
"Our modern apprenticeship scheme is designed to help create a high calibre workforce and continue to build Gordon and MacPhail’s reputation as a desirable place to work.”
Gordon and MacPhail has more than 70 different roles in different functions from retail, visitor experiences, marketing, finance, IT, warehousing and distillation.
