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Cairngorms

Holly joins the CNPA as a Modern Apprentice

21st September 2012

Grantown girl Holly McAuly-Brand has joined the team at the Cairngorms National Park Authority and is set to gain valuable on the job training to help her gain a Modern Apprenticeship in Business and Administration.

School leaver Holly (17) is working in reception at the CNPA’s Grantown offices with her main tasks being keeping meetings diaries up to date, travel bookings for board and staff, sorting out the mail and other general office duties. Holly will be learning new skills, such as in IT and communications, while gaining industry recognised accreditations through her Modern Apprenticeship training.

The CNPA approached Skills Development Scotland – the body promoting Modern Apprenticeships – earlier this year to get information on how to go about employing a Modern Apprentice to help bolster the organisation’s Corporate Services Group. Holly landed the job following an external recruitment process and joined the CNPA at the end of the summer.

On taking up her job at the Park Authority, Holly said: “I was really delighted to get the job and it’s such a bonus being able to work and gain qualifications at the same time.”

The CNPA and Skills Development Scotland jointly meet the cost of Holly’s Modern Apprenticeship training providing her with new skills to help her develop in her role at the CNPA. Holly is supported by her line manager at the CNPA, Kate Christie and Kath Kernaghan from ITP Training – based in Invergordon – who deliver the Modern Apprenticeship in Business and Administration to organisations and firms in the local area.

Kate Christe commented: “Modern Apprenticeships are a good way of helping young people gain employment, access training and get good qualifications without having to leave the National Park. It is something that we are keen to encourage others to do so we’d like to be seen to be leading by example. I’m sure Holly’s Modern Apprenticeship with us will stand her in good stead for the future.”

Kath Kernaghan added: “We are delighted to be involved in the delivery of Holly’s Modern Apprenticeship, in her role with the CNPA. Modern Apprenticeships are a fantastic development opportunity for staff, allowing them to learn and prove their competence in their role, on site. Our assessors work very closely with the candidate and their employer to ensure we are all working towards the same goals in the candidate’s development.”

Derek Cairns of Skills Development Scotland added: “The CNPA has embraced the benefits of the Modern Apprenticeship programme for the first time with this appointment. Holly is learning new skills and gaining valuable work experience whilst working towards a recognised qualification. We look forward to working with CNPA again in the future.”