Scottish Apprenticeship Week runs from 3-7 March and Lothian is joining businesses across the country celebrating the impact of their young workforce.
In 2024, Lothian introduced four modern apprentices to the business, each of them training in a different function within the company.
Building on the success of the company’s Engineering Apprenticeship scheme, Lothian hired apprentices in HR, Commercial, Data Analytics and Engineering Administration.
Denisa Calciu, HR Manager for Lothian, explained why the business took the decision to bring in the Modern Apprentices. “At Lothian, we have a strong focus on learning and development,” explained Denisa. “Apprentices give us the opportunity to invest in young people, grow talent and fill roles we think will be essential in the future.”
Lothian’s HR team worked with each department across the business to gauge whether they would benefit from the addition of an apprentice employee. Once the four areas of the business were identified, work began on ensuring that the training would be beneficial to both Lothian and the apprentice themselves.
Denisa revealed that for Lothian, a big reason for hiring apprentices was to futureproof the business and develop homegrown talent within a diverse, inclusive workplace.
“Apprenticeships are hugely beneficial because it allows us to take a step back and think about what we need in the future,” she said. “For me personally, I thought it was a great strategy to diversify the workplace, and our new colleagues represent the new generation for the bus industry.
“We can also learn from them and the new ideas and perspectives that they bring to the business as well.”
Since their introduction to the business, the Modern Apprentices have made a positive impact on the business. It’s been hugely beneficial for the apprentices, too – they have been given a platform to develop their skills at a reputable organisation and earn a wage while doing so.
They also benefit from the vast experience of Lothian’s workforce. Each of our new apprentices are surrounded by colleagues who have enjoyed long, successful careers at the company and will help them to think critically and logically about their tasks.
Every year, Lothian is proud to highlight the impact of our apprentices during Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Denisa champions the achievements of our apprentices and feels that Scottish Apprenticeship Week is important for both apprentices and businesses.
“It is really important to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and recognise their hard work as they reach each milestone in their journey,” she said. “It’s just as important to recognise how valuable apprenticeships are to businesses in reaching their goals.
“Hopefully this will encourage more organisations to consider apprenticeships and support more young people to develop.”
Denisa wants our four Modern Apprentices to be trailblazers at Lothian and inspire future apprentices to learn their profession at the business and forge a career in the transport industry.
Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn and curiosity to ask questions of their colleagues, mixed with their hard work and dedication has resulted in them being #MadeForBusiness.