Talented Logan builds a career in construction after completing Foundation Apprenticeship
A Foundation Apprenticeship at school has put Glasgow teen Logan Forsyth on course for a career in construction and a degree.
The 17-year-old wants to show others dyslexia isn't a barrier after landing a Graduate Apprenticeship in Construction and Built Environment with GRAHAM construction.
Logan achieved over 90% in his graded unit as a Foundation Apprentice – the highest in his group at Glasgow Kelvin College - before progressing on to a Graduate Apprenticeship with GRAHAM.
He is now employed as an Apprentice Site Manager at GRAHAM and on track to be a future leader within the business.
Logan, of Baillieston, Glasgow, said: “Doing the Foundation Apprenticeship gives you a great insight into a job and a potential career pathway.
“Being able to do a placement on site and see how people function there was really eye opening and I’ve improved my time management and independent learning.
“Using a computer at college helped me read information more easily and showed me dyslexia didn’t need to hold me back, which boosted my confidence.”
Logan was keen to explore the possibilities of a career in construction and chose a Foundation Apprenticeship to gain hands-on experience alongside Highers in Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Design & Manufacturing and PE at Bannerman High School, in Glasgow.
His placement at GRAHAM Construction involved working on a healthcare project, where his main tasks included participating in client progress meetings, capturing progress photographs for the site diary, taking part in site health and safety visits, marking up drainage surveys and conducting quality inspections.
He also spent time with different sections of the site management team, learning how each function worked and how they worked across the team.
Logan added: “The people I met on site encouraged me to go for the Graduate Apprenticeship and the fact that I’d met them already took away all my nerves when I started so I was able to just get straight into the work.”
At college Logan contributed positively to the learning environment, often taking the initiative to collaborate with fellow students and support their understanding of challenging concepts. On site his mentor praised him for fully applying himself to every task, always looking to expand his knowledge and showing commitment and a real passion for engineering.
He also showed a determination and drive to succeed and overcome the challenges and frustrations he faces as someone who has dyslexia.
Logan’s achievements have led to him being a finalist in the Foundation of the Year category of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
GRAHAM Construction Head of Social Impact and Support Services, Debbie Rutherford, said: “Logan was fantastic – he was very engaged, had a great work ethic and performed really well. He also had a clear idea of what he wanted to do, and we were delighted to offer him the Graduate Apprenticeship.
“Foundation Apprenticeships enable us to bring new energy and ideas into the business, to train people to our needs and allow us to target a more diverse group of individuals. They also create opportunities for existing staff to mentor and lead.”
Foundation Apprenticeships are made for business, to provide pupils with the skills employers need, offering industry insight to gain a work-based learning qualification from SCQF Level 4 up to the same level as a Higher.
Mark Scanlan, Glasgow Kelvin College Lecturer, said: “In addition to his academic achievements Logan demonstrated a strong work ethic, a passion for engineering and site management and a positive attitude that inspired everyone around him.”
The winner of the Foundation Apprentice of the Year category will be revealed at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which takes place 27 February in the run up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 to 7 March).