High flyer Louise lands Scotland’s top apprentice title
A female engineer helping her business to save millions and boost productivity has been crowned Scotland’s top apprentice.
Ayrshire’s Louise Collins was named Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which took place at Perth Concert Hall last night (Thursday, 27 February).
The event, organised by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), helped to herald in Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 3 – 7 March and will feature hundreds of events and activities across the country to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships to business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Louise, from Kilmarnock, has become an integral part of GE Aerospace since taking an Aircraft Engine Overhaul Modern Apprenticeship at the Prestwick firm, where she overhauls GE’s GEnx engines.
The 22-year-old won the overall title after winning the Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 6 and above category, sponsored by Scottish Engineering.
Speaking about her win, Louise said: “I'm so honoured to be here and to be the winner. I never thought I would be standing here and never thought I'd be doing an apprenticeship when I was at school, and I'm so glad it's got me here.
"My life has changed so much through my apprenticeship. I'd like to see myself progress through the company and I've got the support behind me with my employer, helping me all the way."
Louise impressed executives at a global level, when her process improvement Kaizen team initiated over $1million in annual savings by streamlining waste management processes and reduced delivery turnaround from 60 days to 48.
As a STEM ambassador, Louise has also devoted over 80 hours to volunteering in schools and helps drive GE’s women’s network.
Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey presented Louise with her award in front of over 250 guests made up of apprentices, employers, learning providers and industry organisations.
Further Education Minister Graeme Dey said: “The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the hard work of apprentices across the country; while highlighting the positive impact they make for businesses.
“I would like to thank employers for their continued support in promoting, enhancing and delivering our apprenticeship system.
“Scottish Apprenticeship Week is as much a celebration of your successes and achievements as it is of the apprentices themselves.
“It has been great to learn more about the journeys each of the winners and finalists have been on, and I must congratulate every single one of them for their successes.
“Apprenticeships provide valuable employment to young people and drives industry investment in skills, providing equity and access to opportunities, helping to enhance Scotland’s competitive edge.”
Chair of SDS, Frank Mitchell, said: “Apprenticeships are key to ensuring that businesses can access the workforce they need to drive economic growth.
This year’s incredible award winners demonstrate the diverse range of opportunities available to people through apprenticeships and the significant impact they can have on lives, businesses and the economy.
“Congratulations to Louise, and all our inspirational award winners and finalists.”
Louise’s dream of working in aerospace was fuelled in childhood, when she’d travel on family holidays.
As a teenager, she was interested in becoming a pilot and enrolled in several flying lessons while at school before researching local aerospace companies and apprenticeships.
Louise got advice on next steps for her future while at school, from her Skills Development Scotland careers adviser Jennifer Robertson. Together, Jennifer and Louise looked at college courses that would help Louise develop her skills and qualifications and give her the option to progress on to an apprenticeship.
Louise studied on the Performing Engineering Operations Aeronautical Engineering programme at Ayrshire College where she was hired as an apprentice by GE.
In her role as an apprentice overhaul engineer, Louise works as part of a team to disassemble, inspect, clean, repair, assemble and test jet engines. She rotates through each part of the overhaul process to understand the business and gain knowledge of the parts, their engineering function and each individual team.
Louise said: “My confidence has skyrocketed through my Modern Apprenticeship – it has given me so much.”
“My communication and problem-solving skills have improved during my apprenticeship. I’ve gained more independence and I’m always developing. A Modern Apprenticeship is a pathway into the career you want.”
Apprentice Coordinator at GE, Aidan McIntyre said: “Louise’s development has been incredible; she has embraced everything her apprenticeship has to offer and significantly improved her confidence across her practical and meta skills. She is a proactive and valuable member of our team.”
Other award winners on the night included Foundation Apprentice of the Year Kaleb Mbise from Dumbarton; Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 5, Mia Walker from Brodick in Arran, Graduate Apprentice of the Year Stephanie Burgoyne from Falkirk and Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year, Cameron Clark from Paisley.
Apprentice employers and learning providers were also recognised, with ACS Clothing picking up the title of SME Employer of the Year, BAE Systems named Large Employer of the Year and Direct Partners winning for Leading in Learning Provision.
More inspirational apprentices and employers across the country are set to back Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which has the theme Made for Business to show that Scottish Apprenticeships are developed with employers, for employers, making skilled individuals that benefit their businesses.
Co-ordinated by SDS and supported by the Scottish Government and a wide range of national and local partners, the campaign will demonstrate how Scottish Apprenticeships are critical to help grow and expand the nation’s workforce, giving people skills to thrive.
For more information on Scottish Apprenticeships, to search for latest apprenticeship vacancies and to find events taking place during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, visit apprenticeships.scot.
Scottish Apprenticeship Awards winners:
- SME Employer of the Year – sponsored by SSEN Transmission – ACS Clothing Ltd
- Large Employer of the Year – sponsored by SQA – BAE Systems
- Leading in Learning Provision – sponsored by Scottish Training Federation – Direct Partners Ltd
- Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by SP Energy Networks – Cameron Clark, Scottish Water
- Foundation Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Scottish Chambers of Commerce – Kaleb Mbise, West Dumbartonshire Council Working4U
- Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF L5 – sponsored by Arnold Clark – Mia Walker, Auchrannie Resort
- Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF L6+ - sponsored by Scottish Engineering – Louise Collins, GE Aerospace
- Graduate Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by CBI – Stephanie Burgoyne, IBM