ALLOA’S Forth Valley college hosted a fact finding mission recently as the director of the Federation of Master Builders visited in the build up to Scottish Apprentice Week.

Gordon Nelson, FMB’s Scotland director, visited the campus to mark Scottish Apprentice Week, which takes place from March 7 until March 11.

Liam Anderson, a modern apprentice bricklayer, and his employer Peter Archibald, the managing director of Haldane Construction Services Ltd, spoke with Gordon, who is writing a blog for the week long apprenticeship celebration.

Liam was happy to talk through his career journey and how the MA bricklaying at the college was benefitting him and Peter was able to answer Gordon’s questions on how the industry was faring as society emerges from lockdown restrictions.

Gordon used the opportunity to use his research on how valuable modern apprenticeship training through a reputable programme provider such as Forth Valley College, can be for established and reputable construction firms.

Gordon said: “Meeting Liam at Forth Valley College's Alloa Campus enabled me to gain further insights into the high quality training and support he is experiencing as a modern apprentice bricklayer.

“Listening to Liam and Peter, whilst touring the impressive facilities, has given me valuable material for my blog on celebrating construction apprenticeships for Scottish Apprenticeship Week.”

Liam, who has worked at Haldane Construction Services Ltd for the past 10 years, said: “I was happy to speak with Gordon from the FMB and answer the questions he had.

“When my employer recommended the Forth Valley College MA course to me I was all for it, it looked like a great opportunity to enhance my skills and further my career.

“One big difference I have already noticed in myself, is in my confidence.

“Even after the first few weeks of college, I'd taken in a lot of information and was able to show this knowledge back on site, both verbally and physically.

“This gave me a lot of confidence in myself within the workplace.”

Julie Hayward, Business Partner at FVC, added: “We were delighted to help Gordon meet up with Liam and Peter at our Alloa Campus recently to enable him to do some research and fact-finding for his Scottish Apprenticeship Week blog.

“The support our MAs get from firms such as Haldane Construction Services and organisations like the Federation of Master Builders is second to none and that makes our job easier to help train the next generation of construction professionals.”

Visit forthvalley.ac.uk/ways-to-study/modern-apprenticeships/ for more information on modern apprenticeships at FVC.