Case Study: Engineering Insight Experience – Opening Doors to Apprenticeships Through Partnership
When 36 young people, from across the Central Highlands, gathered at UHI Inverness for the Engineering Insight Experience, few could have anticipated just how much ground they would cover in five intensive days – or how clearly the programme would illuminate the opportunities available to them close to home.
Delivered by the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH) and UHI Inverness, the experience brought together education, industry and employability partners to create a meaningful, real-world introduction to engineering apprenticeships.
Students travelled from 11 secondary schools, some undertaking a 70-mile round trip each day, emphasising both their commitment and the importance of accessible, high-quality career insight opportunities in the Highlands.
FROM APIRATION TO INFORMED CHOICE
The programme was designed to do more than inspire. Its core aim was to equip young people with the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their future – and to understand that apprenticeships can be every bit as ambitious, valuable and rewarding as more traditional academic routes.
Across the week, participants explored the application of STEM subjects in real engineering contexts, developed employability and leadership skills, and spoke directly with current and former apprentices and industry professionals. Each young person completed the programme with an Industrial Cadets Silver Certificate and a Young STEM Leader Award, but perhaps more importantly, with a clearer sense of what was possible.
Some participants reflected…
“I’ve developed a wider knowledge of STEM apprenticeships and have much greater confidence going into my future as an engineer.”
“It’s inspired me to go into the field I love. This course has challenge me lots and I now have a wider knowledge of what to do and what to expect.”
“It has opened my mind up to other companies that would be good to work at, and what I could do to improve my likelihood of getting employed.”
INDUSTRY AT THE HEART OF THE EXPERIENCE
A defining feature of the Engineering Insight Experience was the depth of employer involvement. Local and national engineering employers – including Proterra Energy, Hydrasun, RI Cruden, ScotRail, Arnold Clark, SSEN Transmission, SGL Carbon and Murphy Group – contributed time, expertise and insight throughout the programme.
Young people took part in hands-on challenges, apprentice-led Q&A sessions and, crucially, company insight visits. These visits consistently stood out in evaluations as the most impactful element of the experience.
From deploying a hydro trailer with Proterra Energy, to exploring heavy maintenance engineering at ScotRail’s Inverness depot, participants were able to see engineering workplaces first-hand, speak openly with apprentices, and understand the skills, behaviours and pathways employers are looking for.
Another young person commented,
“Before the course, I didn’t realise how many STEM careers are coming to the Highlands. Now I understand the opportunities available.”
PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE WORLD OF WORK
The programme also placed strong emphasis on employability and personal development. Sessions on leadership, communication, resilience and wellbeing – including a dedicated workshop delivered by Mikeysline – reflected the reality that successful careers are built on more than technical skills alone.
Mock interviews, supported by employers, Skills Development Scotland, EDT and The Highland Council’s employability team provided invaluable experience. Employer feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the professionalism, preparedness and maturity of the cohort.
Employers were really pleased with the young people he met with, explaining,
“They’re a credit to their parents. Some of these answers – even experienced candidates couldn’t give.” (Craig Gorman, Hydrasun)
“The day went really well, and I was genuinely impressed with all the young people I interviewed. It was evident that they had all taken on board the information provided in the earlier sessions.”
“They all maintained eye contact throughout the interviews, showed minimal nerves, and were able to answer all the questions I asked well. It was clear from the answers provided that they had paid attention and taken on board the information provided in the earlier sessions”
A MODEL THAT DELIVERS
Liz Fletcher, Programme Lead at DYW Inverness & Central Highland, said,
“Engaging schools, promoting the programme and securing employers for site visits made all the difference. This experience directly supports the ambitions of the Workforce North Operational Plan and allowed us to test a model that gives young people meaningful, real-world insight into apprenticeships.”
For DYWICH, the Engineering Insight Experience represents a first step in a scalable approach to careers insight – one that responds directly to workforce challenges while supporting young people to build informed, confident futures.
The immediate impact is already being seen, with several participants progressing to apprenticeship interviews and applications as a direct result of the experience.
Looking Ahead
This programme was a true collaborative effort, and DYWICH would like to thank EDT for leading delivery, UHI Inverness for hosting, and all industry and employability partners who contributed their time, expertise and commitment.
The success of the Engineering Insight Experience demonstrates what’s possible when partners work together with a shared purpose – and offers a compelling model for other sectors seeking to attract, engage and future-proof their workforce.
Interested in exploring a similar approach in your industry? Get in touch at [email protected]