Proskills Awards Will Highlight The Importance Of Training
Online, September 7, 2011 (Newswire.com) - This week marks the first ever Scottish Apprenticeship week, aiming to highlight the importance of vocational education and the role it can play in helping students develop practical skills. Mark Dorado of Dunfermline has been nominated in the Advanced/Modern Apprentice of the Year category for the Proskills Awards, which will be held at Alton Towers on 3 November, recognising the progress he has made since joining Matrix Fife, a council run supported business, as a General Operative in January 2004. "Mark was promoted to Woodwork Charge Hand on 30 August 2010," said Grant Smith, Mark's Senior Supervisor. "He liaises with the Supervisor/Trainer and with the other General Operatives within the section; together they delegate the work for the day. Mark then assists and ensures the smooth running of the section in its daily functions."
These achievements are all the more remarkable given the difficulties Mark has had to overcome. Born profoundly deaf and with no voice, Mark has nevertheless managed to progress in his chosen career, showing great resilience along the way. "Mark has always tackled his work with enthusiasm and commitment; his success story has helped to motivate others within the business; he has set a benchmark to which others can aspire," said Iris Kernaghan, workshop manager at Matrix Fife. The apprenticeship scheme has also brought real benefits to Matrix Fife, who train and employ people with disabilities or other health issues. "The apprenticeship scheme caused us to reassess our working practices and training methods, which assisted us in setting up new criteria for training using standard operating procedures which were easily understood and interpreted," said Iris.
The Proskills Awards will celebrate the achievements of Mark and other apprentices up and down the country. By highlighting the importance of training and making the process and manufacturing sector's case for funding to develop the skills of the workforce, Proskills is helping companies prepare for a future in which skills and technical knowledge will be crucial to commercial success. "The Proskills awards ceremony promises to be a hugely enjoyable evening that will highlight the work of both individuals and companies in the process and manufacturing sector, while also offering important networking and sponsorship opportunities," said Linda McCourt, Proskills Scotland Manager. "If you would like to get involved in the Proskills Awards then please get in touch via the contact details below."
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Notes to Editors:
To interview Terry Watts or Linda McCourt, or for editorial enquiries please contact Proskills on 01235 432034 or e-mail patrick.truss@proskills.co.uk
About Proskills Group
Proskills UK Group comprises Proskills UK - the Sector Skills Council for Process and Manufacturing Sector and the Proskills Academy.
Proskills UK is the bridge between employers and Government on skills and training.
Proskills is employer-led by nine key industries; Building Products, Coatings, Extractives, Furniture, Glass, Glazed Ceramics, Paper, Print and Wood, which make a third of the UK manufacturing sector. Proskills UK helps to raise the profile and sets the skills standards and qualifications for the sector and ensures that the skills and funding delivers against the current and future needs of the industries.
As the commercial arm of Proskills UK, National Skills Academy, Materials, Production & Supply is the first step in identifying and accessing the training your business needs to reduce costs and boost productivity.
About Matrix Fife
Matrix Fife run by Fife Council's Social Work Services is a supported business which provides employment opportunities to people with disabilities.