Early Years Modern Apprentices begin Moray Council roles

The first Early Years Modern Apprentices for Moray Council started on their new career path in nurseries this week.

Five young people have taken up their posts in various local authority nurseries undertaking on-the-job training to become qualified to Early Years Practitioner level.

The Scottish Government’s early learning and childcare (ELC) expansion brings more job opportunities for those working in ELC, with Moray Council potentially recruiting up to 120 more staff in the lead up to the August 2020 implementation date.

Cllr Sonya Warren, Chair of Moray Council’s Children and Young People’s Services Committee said; “The Modern Apprentice roles gives Moray Council the opportunity to train staff who can go on to enjoy a successful and progressive ELC career here in Moray. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to offer these posts this year as part of the wider ELC expansion investment and look forward to seeing how our apprentices progress.”

Mhairi McCallum, from Dallas, who has taken up a Modern Apprentice post at St Gerardine Primary School Nursery said; “I’ve been working with children for a couple of years in a support worker role so this opportunity to gain my qualification while working in a nursery was too good to miss out on. I’ve already experienced how rewarding a career in early years is and this is a great step up the early years career ladder for me.”

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.