VLA Modern Apprenticeship Awards 2020 – Apprentice of the Year

In just 8 months John completed his Diploma (SCQF 6) which is typical of John’s ambitious approach. His easy manner allowed him to instantly gel with his team and secure their help in his training. At the same time, he threw himself into and completed all training available. Since then he has tackled everything that has been thrown at him with the same gusto and enthusiasm, whether it was the repetition of re-running thousands of failed integrations; turning this onerous but time sensitive task into speed competition within the team or his practicing of different styles to best deliver his insights to the rest of the team on enhancing our Search Engine Optimisation just two months after joining.

John has shown through self-development, hard work and determination that he is willing to put in the work and develop himself as a strong member of his team. So much so that John has now been successful in securing a post of Digital Support Officer with Highland Council and is set to have a successful career with the organisation.

Robert Newman, Digital Services Manager:  “John started with Highland Council in April 2019 on the Youth Trainee scheme, where he was given the opportunity to work in Digital Services under the supervision of Robert Newman, during his time on the YT programme he was given the opportunity to do the Modern Apprenticeship with Virtual Learning Academy for IT & Telecommunications, which he finished within the timeframe of his 12-month Youth Trainee programme.  John was nominated in the Highland Council Quality awards and was successful in becoming the Trainee of the Year and has recently been successful in gaining the MA post for Digital Support Officer, where John will continue to develop in his role.”

Dan Scott, Interim ICT Operations Manager: “There are two things required for someone to be able to develop and progress. Firstly, there needs to be an opportunity. Secondly, and most criticality, the opportunity must be recognised, and the person concerned needs to have the capability and desire to seize the opportunity. John has this in spades. His enthusiasm, dedication to his studies and all-round approach means he has developed into a valued member of the team, earning himself a full-time position that offers more opportunity in the future.”

Mhairi Quinn, VLA Learning Consultant: “John achieved his (SCQF 6) through his hard work and dedication and did so in an impressive 8 months. John’s commitment and skills were clearly shown within the outstanding work he produced throughout. John showed a willingness to push himself and not take the easy route and produced work to a very high standard in all the subjects that we chose. John achieved every deadline set, usually early and was a pleasure to work with throughout the process.”