GLOBAL drinks giant Diageo has announced a record number of apprenticeships which include roles across eight of its Scottish sites as part of a UK-wide recruitment campaign.
29 Modern Apprentice roles have been announced across a range of disciplines, from packaging to distilling, and engineering to cooperage.
Diageo is a leader in beverages, with a wide collection of brands that include Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio and Guinness.
Roles are available in distilleries including Leven, Cambus Cooperage, Cameronbridge and Shieldhall.
Diageo is also partnering with Glasgow Caledonian University to recruit four Graduate Apprenticeship roles in data science based in Glasgow.
The announcement comes in the run up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which is a national celebration of apprenticeships across the country.
As a major employer in Scotland, Diageo has completed over 250 apprenticeships since 2006, with 98% going on to secure full time roles within the business upon completion of their apprenticeship.
Lucy Bell, an electrical engineer at Diageo Shieldhall, completed her apprenticeship programme at the end of last year.
Lucy said: “Originally I was looking at university options as that was always the career path we were steered towards at school.
“I was drawn to the more hands-on approach to learning that an apprenticeship offered. It’s been a really different experience to what I expected but really enjoyable.
“It’s so good to get the hands on experience whist also learning at college and really prepared me for the role I am in now.”
Gillian Dalziel, Early Career Specialist at Diageo, said: “Apprenticeships are a critical talent pipeline here at Diageo, helping us to attract diverse candidates who are committed to developing the skills we need for now and the future.
“For the first time, we are also partnering with Glasgow Caledonian University to recruit four graduate apprenticeship roles in data science.
“Roles like this ensure our employees have access to stretching experiences and exciting learning opportunities that fuels constant growth in their capabilities and our business performance.
“We are delighted to be delivering such a wide variety of apprenticeship roles this year across Scotland and look forward to welcoming a diverse range of talent to the business.”
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board Co-Chair, Frank Mitchell, said: “When it comes to supporting sustainable skills through workforce development or providing opportunities for young people, we know that apprenticeships work.
“The combination of commitment from employers and the backing of Scottish Government will ensure apprenticeships work for everyone, making a significant contributor to Scotland’s recovery and productivity growth.”
