Ayrshire Apprenticeship Challenge

The Ayrshire Apprenticeship Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to give back to your community while developing the skills and talent of your apprentice workforce.

This challenge runs annually and will launch in April 2025 to new applications.

The 2024 Challenge is sponsored by Skills Development Scotland.

Here’s why you should participate:

Make a positive impact: Your apprentices will plan, develop, and complete a project that benefits your local community. Past projects have included everything from building additions to playgrounds to fundraising for charities!

Empower your apprentices: The challenge gives them ownership and responsibility – a chance to shine and showcase their abilities beyond the everyday.

Boost morale and engagement: Working on a meaningful project together fosters teamwork and creates a more engaged and motivated apprentice team.

Attract and retain top talent: Highlight your commitment to social responsibility and employee development, making your company a magnet for talented young people

What kind of projects are eligible?

The sky’s the limit! Think building, decorating, event planning, fundraising, raising awareness, or educating. Whether it’s physical (like building something for a community garden) or more administrative (like organising a charity run), the key is to make a positive difference.

For more information in the meantime, please refer to the below:

The 2024 Challenge is currently underway with the following teams working with the local community:

• Ardagh Glass
• GE Caledonian
• GSK
• South Ayrshire Council
• Ayrshire College
• Shire Housing
• Kelvin Top Set
• Alex Begg
• Spirit Aerosystems

Who can enter?

We welcome 3 different types of ‘teams’:

• Individuals
• Company Teams
• Blended teams (Blended teams could be made up of students from the same course at College)

What is the timeline?

May/August 2024 – Register to participate

July-January 2025 – Completion of project

August 2024 – Optional Team building workshop

September 2024 – Optional Leadership workshop

November 2024 – Optional Resilience workshop

January 2025 – Optional Presentation Skills workshop

January 2025 – Submit portfolio

March 2025 – Final Event during Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Spread the Word!

We encourage you to promote the Ayrshire Apprenticeship Challenge within your company and community.

Media Coverage:

To ensure proper recognition for everyone involved, please include the following details in any media coverage related to the Challenge:

Initiative Name: Ayrshire Apprenticeship Challenge

Participating Organisers: Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry and DYW Ayrshire
For questions or media release review, contact Gillian Longmuir glongmuir@dywayrshire.com.

The Challenge Details:

Open to companies with one or more apprentices (Foundation, Modern, or Graduate).

Project completion window: 7 months (this year is running from August 2024 – March 2025).

Registration deadline: Date to be confirmed for 2025.

Ready to join the Challenge?

Once bookings go live, you will be asked to fill out the simple registration form below and submit it.

For more information on the Challenge please refer to the FAQs.