Scott Paterson, 16, left high school knowing he wanted to be a joiner. Now thanks to Hand Picked he is on course to do just that as an apprentice with FIX from CR Smith.
On leaving school, Scott did a course at Fife College in construction. He then applied to take part in the Hand Picked Academy at CR Smith. The week long course helped him to understand employers’ expectations in the workplace and how to better sell himself on the jobs market.
His passion to become a joiner shone through during the course and with the support of the Hand Picked team he was put forward for a 12-week paid placement with FIX from CR Smith, the part of the home improvements business that fits secondary glazing and repairs, replaces and upgrades windows, doors and conservatories, no matter who fitted them.
Kevin Eadie, Head of FIX, was so impressed with his enthusiasm and determination that he offered him an Apprenticeship following the placement.
According to Kevin, Scott has fully embraced the Apprenticeship opportunity. He said:
“Scott is out with the FIX teams each day helping with repair work and he has been fantastic. We have high hopes for him. He used to work in a local chip shop and so knows how to chat to customers and shows a real desire to learn the skills to be a joiner.”
The CR Smith Apprenticeship is delivered at the firm’s purpose built training centre in Dunfermline in conjunction with Fife College and uses the City & Guilds framework. Scott will complete his apprenticeship in four years, along with a further 10 new apprentices that the company recently recruited.
Scott added:
“I knew I wanted to be a joiner and my ambition was always to get an apprenticeship. Working with CR Smith has been brilliant and I’m grateful for the opportunity Hand Picked put my way last year.”