Two Shetland companies have been announced as finalists in this year's prestigious Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards.

Earlier this year, companies and employers from all over Scotland were asked to nominate their modern apprentices - and their businesses - for recognition of their achievements, and Train Shetland and Shetland Recreational Trust have beaten over one hundred entries to reach the final stage in the competition.

Train Shetland currently caters for the training needs of 84 modern apprentices and has been nominated in the training provider category. The high standard of training Shetland Recreational Trust's two modern apprentices are receiving in engineering maintenance has led to its nomination in the medium-sized employer category.

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in Edinburgh's Sheraton Hotel on 30 October 2003.  The event will be hosted by Scottish TV presenter Stephen Jardine, with Lewis Macdonald MSP Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning presenting the winners with their trophies.

Managed by Highland and Island Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise, modern apprenticeships are designed to help people over sixteen gain the skills they need to establish a career, earning a proper wage while they train.

More than 25,000 people in Scotland are currently training as modern apprentices - about 170 in Shetland alone - across more than 70 industry sectors.

Fiona Strachan, development manager with Shetland Enterprise said:  "I am thrilled that Shetland is so well represented in the MA finals.  It's further confirmation that we have top quality opportunities and support for our trainees here.  I wish both Train Shetland and Shetland Recreational Trust every success when they go to Edinburgh."