The first ever Modern Apprenticeship in Learning and Development has been awarded to a Nimrod aircraft engineer from Moray.

Alex Brand works for FR Aviation Services - the company that in association with BAE Systems - maintains Nimrod Aircraft at RAF Kinloss' Nimrod Service Group (NSG) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

A 43 year-old senior supervisor, Alex began his Modern Apprenticeship in Learning and Development Level 3 in June 2003, with support from Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MSBE).  MBSE appointed external training provider, Drumbeat to work with Alex for the duration of his Modern Apprenticeship.

Drumbeat offers a range of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and Modern Apprenticeships in Management and Learning and Development, and operates throughout the Highlands and Islands.  Work with candidates is all carried out in their workplaces at times that suit them.

The Learning and Development Modern Apprenticeship Framework was approved last year and consists of Learning and Development Level 3 SVQ or the Direct Training and Support Level 3 SVQ

Participants achieve their award by presenting evidence of the work they have done in delivering training in the workplace.  Alex achieved his Modern Apprenticeship in Learning and Development by illustrating what he had done to establish a training and assessment centre at the NSG.

As a result of Alex's efforts FR Aviation Services can now offer Modern Apprenticeships in Aircraft Engineering Maintenance at the NSG, and is expected to recruit its first batch of new apprentices later this year or in early 2005.

Commenting on his achievement, Alex said: "The Learning and Development Modern Apprenticeship has been of great value to me but also to the company with the business now becoming an Approved Centre for training and assessing aircraft engineers.  Although hard work, the experience was very rewarding and as a result I am now embarking on a Level 4 SVQ in Management.

"I am very grateful to Frances Nolan and her team at Drumbeat, whose help and guidance has proved invaluable.  Without Drumbeat we would definitely not be where we are today."

Alex's chief engineer at FR Aviation Services, Sean McCourt, is also pleased with the outcome.  He said: "We identified a need to recruit more young people as previous and current staff have usually been retired RAF personnel, so we have an older workforce.  The awarding of Approved Centre status - with due credit to Alex for all his efforts - is a real boost for the business."

MBSE chief executive Douglas Yule said: "We would like to congratulate Alex on becoming the first person in Scotland to achieve the Modern Apprenticeship in Learning and Development.

"Developing skills is a key priority for MBSE and we can support individuals and organisations in a number of ways, from funding support for various types of training to valuable advice and guidance on how a business can become an Approved Centre for training and assessment."