MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson visited leading graphic design and signage company Novograf in East Kilbride as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023 to hear about the benefits of their modern apprentice programme.
He met with Novograf’s Operations Director Alan Marshall and employee Jessica Filipowicz, who this week graduated from her 12-month Apprenticeship in Digital Application Support, to discuss why the firm have recently started using the scheme.
Novograf, an employee-owned design and manufacturer of custom surfaces and unique prints, was established back in 1986 and have 40 staff across the UK. They have produced signage for large businesses like Greggs, RBS, WHSmith and Waitrose.
Mr Simpson heard how, like many businesses, Novograf have identified the need to get younger employees through the door in order to address the demographic “timebomb”.
He described Novograf’s apprenticeship scheme as a “win-win” for the business and young people in the local area and welcomed their plans to continue recruiting through this method.
The theme of Scottish Apprenticeship Week this year is ‘unlocking potential’ with the aim of showcasing what individuals and employers can achieve through apprenticeships.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson said: “I was delighted to visit Novograf to hear about the positive impact work-based learning has on local businesses and show my support for Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023.
“Novograf is a huge local success story, as is Jessica, who has shown real diligence and hard work to complete her 12 month apprenticeship in just 7 months and secure a full-time job at the end of the process.
“We all recognise the demographic timebomb facing firms in industries like manufacturing. However, it’s clear in modern apprenticeships we have a solution to this challenge.
“Apprenticeships offer a win-win situation for both employers and employees, they benefit local firms and also give applicants the opportunity to develop within their communities – preventing a drainage of skilled young people from areas like Lanarkshire”.
