National Apprenticeship Week & our Alastair S McIntosh Apprenticeships
The Alastair S McIntosh Apprenticeships here at SWE were introduced as part of our continued commitment to develop our team. Members of staff can apply to our apprenticeship scheme alongside their current role which then in turn will allow further opportunities to learn more about the business. Read on to find out more…
It’s National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February) and a new generation of ambitious individuals will soon graduate from The Scotch Whisky Experience’s apprenticeship programme.
The renowned initiative is a springboard to senior level careers in the whisky and tourism industries, while offering opportunities to affect change at an award-winning organisation.
Apprentice Matilda Mear leading a whisky tasting.
Gregor MacDonald, now Visitor Experience Manager, exemplifies the programme’s success. He joined The Scotch Whisky Experience five years ago as a Visitor and Stock Assistant, initially seeing it as a short-term role. Through the apprenticeship programme, he saw an opportunity to modernise the visitor experience by introducing digital whisky tasting notes using QR codes, reducing waste and improving sustainability.
Gregor’s changes were welcomed by senior management and visitors, leading to it becoming part of the standards at The Scotch Whisky Experience. Now managing a team of 40, Gregor continues to drive creativity with new “green champions” in his team to challenge conventions and improve sustainability further.
Matilda Mear, who is due to complete her apprenticeship at the end of February, champions The Scotch Whisky Experience’s apprenticeship model for its hands-on learning, managerial development, and career acceleration. She said,
“I’m ahead of my friends who went to university, which I love bragging about!”
“I’ve gained real-world experience and independence, living in Edinburgh, earning an income, and developing skills that would have taken years at university,” she continues.
“The programme has opened doors for me to apply for senior positions, because I now have the managerial experience those roles require.”
As well as internal progression, the apprenticeship programme has helped graduates secure senior roles at prestigious international organisations.
Pictured: Gregor MacDonald
Angela Dineen, Operations Director, highlights the programme’s value: “Progression and mentorship is at the heart of The Scotch Whisky Experience’s ethos. Empowering people, helping them to develop both professionally and personally, is a key part of our long-standing commitment to our greatest asset, the team.”
Chief Executive Susan Morrison underscores the importance of nurturing homegrown talent, saying:
“I am passionate that this industry provides exciting and viable career options, right to the top. But of course, the fresh perspectives brought to us by our apprentices drive innovation and enhance our visitor experience. We all look forward to engaging with our next generation of apprentices!”
Pictured: Angela Dineen