Celebrating our colleagues in Scottish Apprenticeship Week
Scottish Apprenticeship Week from 2 to 6 March 2026 celebrates apprentices working for individuals, employers and the economy.
The week shines a spotlight on the power of apprenticeships to create careers, build businesses, grow the workforce and get real returns for the economy.
Inform took the opportunity to speak to some of our colleagues in IT who are currently undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship in Cyber Security.
Developing our digital defences
Archie Baird, Susan McLachlan (both pictured) and Simon Ebdale are all helping to develop our digital defences by undertaking a 14-month, SCQF Level 8 apprenticeship in Cyber Security.
Graham Burke, Team Manager for Infrastructure and Security was successful in gaining funding from Skills Development Scotland for the apprenticeships.
“The course is run by QA, a leading provider of digital and data apprenticeships in Scotland. It blends hands-on technical training and workplace experience. Archie, Susan and Simon aren’t just studying cyber security, they are applying new skills directly in their roles while earning a nationally recognised Diploma in Digital Technology,” says Graham.
Archie Baird, Senior IT Analyst for IT Security, says: “I’m really enjoying the cyber security course so far. The QA team have been very helpful throughout and I’m looking forward to getting started with the technical specific courses which I expect will strengthen my current knowledge and skills.”
Combining work with learning is bringing benefits, says IT Analyst Simon Ebdale: “We have a dedicated learning coordinator who is available to answer all our questions. I’m finding a lot of the work I do in the Infrastructure and Security team can be used as evidence for the modules which is helping me to progress through the course.”
Susan McLachlan, a fellow IT Analyst who started her apprenticeship a few months ahead of Archie and Simon, is full of praise for the assistance she has received from her colleagues: “Knowing that I can ask for support or more extensive information and knowing they will always be happy to share that knowledge is definitely making the coursework more enjoyable,” she says.
“Making the decision to take on the apprenticeship was easy, fitting it into my daily life takes planning. I work full-time, teach fitness classes and have a family, so spare time is not something that I have a lot of, however with some planning and to-do lists, I am making it work in a way that is not overwhelming.”
Reflecting on the accomplishments of the apprentices and the benefits to our organisation Graham says: “Their achievement shows just how powerful it is when learning and work come together with the right support. At a time when cyber security has never been more important, they’re helping strengthen our defences while developing skills that will benefit our digital future. And we’ve been able to do this in a way that remains cost-neutral for the organisation, which makes their success even more impressive.”