Four young people from Orkney have become the first fully qualified engineers from the island to achieve the full engineering modern apprenticeship.

They have completed an apprenticeship that combined 'off the job' training at Angus Training Group Limited and further education at Angus College in Arbroath, with 'on the job' training which was completed at Craigie Engineering in Kirkwall.

Jim Steel, national manager - Scotland, for the Engineering and Marine Training Authority presented the certificates recently at a special presentation evening at the Foveran Hotel on the outskirts of Kirkwall.

The training was delivered as part of the government funded Skillseekers programme which offers young people a viable entry route into almost any career.

Modern apprenticeships are an increasingly popular choice among both young people and employers.

Jim Thomson, managing director of Angus Training Group said: "The apprentices from Orkney are our most northerly trainees but it shows that distance is no object as the Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeship programme allows employers to work with the training provider they feel is most in tune with their particular business."

The four apprentices - Callum Baillie, Graham Mackay, Richard Wilson and Maurice Thomson all successfully completed a level three SVQ in Engineering and National Certificate as components of the Engineering Modern Apprenticeship.

Callum Baillie said: "Skillseekers allowed me to gain valuable training in a career that I was interested in. It also paid me a wage during my modern apprenticeship and helped secure a full-time job with Craigie Engineering on completion."

Orkney Enterprise, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network funds the Skillseekers programme in Orkney which saw 61 vocational qualifications achieved last year.

Head of skills development at Orkney Enterprise Ruth Kirkpatrick said: "Skillseekers provides valuable opportunities for young people who wish to remain in Orkney after school or college. Most Skillseeker trainees now have the opportunity to progress to modern apprenticeships which are now available in a wide range of areas - from the traditional industries of farming and fishing to hairdressing and retailing."

John Craigie of Craigie Engineering said: "Using the Skillseekers and modern apprenticeships programme has helped ensure our trainees have the right skills to complete the jobs they are asked to do. This gives our customers the confidence that we can deliver high quality results now and in the future.

"I congratulate our young employees who have completed their qualifications. They have proved very capable and we now have several more trainees at various stages of their modern apprenticeship."

For further details of Skillseekers and modern apprenticeships contact Orkney Enterprise on 01856 874638 or your local careers office.