Industrial Leaders Unite: Recruitment Event Showcases Career Opportunities in Lochaber for Scottish Apprenticeship Week

In celebration of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Alvance British Aluminium and JAHAMA Highland Estates hosted ‘Your Future Career in Lochaber’, joining forces with neighbouring industrial giants, MOWI Scotland, BSW Timber, and Ferguson Transport & Shipping. The collaboration highlighted the importance of apprenticeships and showcased diverse career opportunities within the Lochaber community, joining together with apprenticeship education partners, UHI Inverness and Heriot-Watt University.

Seventeen year old Toby Jackson was keen to find out about a career at Alvance British Aluminium & JAHAMA Highland Estates

At Alvance British Aluminium, over 20 per cent of their workforce started their career through either a modern or graduate apprenticeship within the company, underscoring the organisation’s dedication to nurturing talent and empowering individuals to realise their full potential. As well as the typical engineering and trade apprenticeships, there are also opportunities as diverse as accountancy and gamekeeping. This statistic stands as a poignant testament to the transformative power of apprenticeships and work-based learning initiatives.

As well as promoting the benefits of work-based learning to the Lochaber community, the event also showcased opportunities for people at all stages of their career and allowed companies to work together to showcase why Lochaber is a great place to live and work.

The event was sold out with 100 participants signing up to attend, all getting the opportunity to talk to hiring managers and role holders, who shared details about their own experiences and advised on how others could also reap the same employment opportunities.

Attendees of the event also benefited from a tour of the factory where they got to see the power station, and then view where the aluminium is cast.

“In today’s diverse workforce landscape, apprenticeships remain vital for talent development,” said Tom Uppington, Managing Director of Alvance British Aluminium and JAHAMA Highland Estates, further commenting: “I am proud to see how apprenticeships have become a pathway to successful careers, enabling students to stay in the area while earning and learning simultaneously.

We are incredibly grateful for the support and participation of all those who attended the event, including students, parents, educators, and local businesses. The enthusiasm and engagement we witnessed was truly inspiring. It is through events like these that we can make a real difference in the lives of young individuals, offering them a pathway to success while nurturing the talent pool within our community.”

Sarah Ralston, HR Manager, at MOWI Scotland, commented: “This continued collaboration represents a shared commitment to education, empowerment and combining our expertise and resources, we hope to showcase the diverse array of career opportunities available right on our doorstep.

Jacqueline MacLeod, Head of Human Resources at Ferguson Transport & Shipping, shared: “It was a pleasure to chat to so many enthusiastic young people about their future career aspirations, thanks to all involved for making this event a success!”

Oliver Stephen, Mill Manager at BSW, concluded: “Fantastic careers evening. Great to be able to speak to young people in the Lochaber area about the opportunities on their doorstep!”

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For further information about Alvance British Aluminium, please contact Colleen MacLean, Executive Assistant & Communications Lead on Colleen.MacLean@alvancegroup.com