MSP for the Cowdenbeath Constituency Alex Rowley met up this week with apprentices at Bridgeforth Engineering Inverkeithing and heard first hand their experiences of leaving school, getting an apprenticeship, attending college and progressing with their careers.
Bridgeforth Engineering is a business which has been at the cutting edge of precision engineering for the oil and gas markets since 1979 and is operating a partnership with Fife College and currently has 9 young people at different stages of their apprenticeships.
Mr Rowley said; “I was delighted to visit this leading engineering company based in the constituency that is committed to giving young people in the area the opportunity to gain the skills to become qualified engineers securing quality jobs and careers. Companies like Bridgestone are the backbone of the Scottish economy and it was great to hear their commitment to training and skills. If we are to truly take advantage of oil and gas and get the benefits for the whole community then we must do so much more to give people the skills to work in this industry and this company working in partnership with Fife College is a leading example of how to do it.
The MSP recently raised the issue of skills and apprenticeships in the Scottish Parliament arguing that there needs to be better links between schools, colleges and industry to share the rewards of a thriving oil and gas sector. He told the Press; “Speaking with Aaron who comes from Crossgates and Robby who comes from Townhill, I heard and saw first hand their enthusiasm for engineering and the great experience and opportunity they have been given by the company and college. If we are to build a strong Scottish economy then we need a massive shift in our approach to skills starting in schools and we need to put employers at the heart of that agenda”.
The picture shows Robby Sharp, Aaron Jones with Alex Rowley, Bridgeforth General Manager Robert Cunningham and manager Martin Provan.
end
