We are proud to celebrate the achievements of Scott Kammerath, now in his fourth year at Alvance British Aluminium. Scott has reached an impressive outcome, completing his SVQ3 in Electrical Engineering Maintenance a full year ahead of schedule.

We caught up with Scott to find out more about his pathway. Scott first heard about this role at Ardnamurchan High School, saying “I knew I wanted to work with my hands. I had looked at other apprenticeships, but Lochaber Smelter appealed to me most.”

Since starting, Scott has worked on a wide mix of jobs. He has been involved in large projects like working on conductor rails and the despatch bay crane. He also enjoys breakdown work, where quick thinking and problem solving are key.

The balance of college and on-site training has suited him well. The lessons at Inverness UHI tied in closely with the practical experience here on site. By putting in extra hours in the evenings and at weekends, Scott was able to keep ahead and finish his SVQ3 remarkably early.

Scott mentioned that the help from colleagues has been another big factor. “I have had people I could go to for technical help and others I could ask about the college side. Having that support from people who have been through it before has made a real difference and kept me motivated with tasks and challenges to get ahead and prove my competencies”, he said.

Over time, Scott has noticed a big change in himself. He is more confident, enjoys working in a team, and is also comfortable taking on jobs on his own. “What has surprised me most is how much fun my apprenticeship has been. I like getting my hands dirty and I enjoy working with the people around me.”

Looking ahead, Scott will be moving onto shift work and the opportunities that being a time served craftsperson brings. “And a pay rise would be nice too,” he added with a smile.

For anyone thinking about an apprenticeship, Scott’s advice is simple. “Just do it. You can earn while you learn, be independent and avoid student debt. I’ve got the qualifications I need; I’m finishing my HNC, and I’ve had real experience from the start, plus I can afford the things I want. I may even look to do a HND down the line.”

Reflecting on his progress overall, Scott said: “I’m over the moon to have completed my SVQ3 early. I enjoy the interesting and varied work at Alvance British Aluminium, and I’m looking forward to putting my learning into practice.”

Congratulations, Scott. You are a great example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination and the support of those around you.

For any information on our careers, contact  lochabercareers@alvancegroup.com