STUC Apprenticeships Event 2025

As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the 3rd Annual STUC Apprenticeships Event was held on Friday, 7th March in the Margaret Irwin Centre, Glasgow, with support from TUC Education in Scotland. The theme of the event was ‘Skills for Now and The Future’ with a focus on equipping apprentices with skills for progressing in the workplace.

Chaired by STUC Youth Committee member Stewart Duncan of the RMT, the event brought apprentices and reps together from across section of workplaces, with a particularly high level of participation from the construction and engineering sector.

STUC colleagues delivered an opening keynote speech highlighting the importance of developing structures to ensure the voice of young workers is heard not only in workplaces but across the trade union movement.

Interactive workshops facilitated by Sean Baillie, STUC Fair Work Officer, focussed on developing the understanding and workplace implementation of Fair Work practices. These workshops were enhanced by the inclusion of a real-life scenario outlined by Unite ULR Brian Deazeley. Brian gave examples of where Unite have used the Learning Fund to further develop the skills of apprentices beyond the scope of their apprenticeship. The apprentices used the workshops to highlight areas where they could work closer as union members to ensure their apprenticeship is of a high standard and leads to sustained employment.

The impact of Fair Work was further outlined by RMT Union Learning Organiser Dan Henderson in his presentation alongside Stephen Horne who manages CalMac’s Modern Apprenticeship programme. The use of the Development Fund and Learning Fund to increase opportunities for apprentices was highlighted. The session was a powerful reminder of how unions and employers can work collaboratively to support and develop apprentices.

Craig Beattie, Player Relations Officer at PFA Scotland, gave an engaging talk on his experience of starting professional football as a trainee and then moving into playing at the highest levels of the game. He spoke about how he became a union rep before taking up a position as a union officer when he hung up his boots.

TUC Education tutor Sonya Cassidy spoke about the opportunities for training and development available to new reps through TUC Education and the ongoing support and learning programmes for existing reps.

The event provided a platform to bring together new apprentices with experienced reps and union officers to share good practice and ensure unions continue to provide young members with opportunities for workplace development and support.