Industry News

Diageo apprentice in running for prestigious award

As reported by the Daily Record, Cameron MacDonald, from Bathgate in West Lothian, has been shortlisted for the Scottish Apprentice Ambassador of the Year award.

Nominated by his employer, Diageo, Cameron currently works at the company’s site in Blackgrange, Alloa, having joined Diageo as a modern apprentice in electrical engineering, before progressing as a graduate apprentice in engineering – electrical design and manufacture at Heriot Watt.

Cameron was shortlisted by Skills Development Scotland, who run the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards. The awards recognise the hard work and commitment of apprentices and shine a spotlight on the employers and training providers who champion apprenticeships.

Since joining the team, Cameron has made a huge impact on Diageo. His achievements include being involved in the development of a new solution to transform stock-taking procedures and designing a prototype vibration analyser as part of a university engineering project to track the condition of equipment. He was also involved in large scale engineering projects such as the multi-million-pound innovative FSDU (Filling store, disgorging unit) at Diageo’s Cluny Bond.

Since completion of his own apprenticeship, Cameron has been championing Diageo’s apprenticeship scheme across Scotland, including at the Scottish Parliament. He has volunteered his time to support the company’s HR and early careers teams, determined to share his career story and help to inspire young people leaving school to consider apprenticeships.

He said, “I am honored to be shortlisted in this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Awards. My Diageo apprenticeship has allowed me to learn new skills in a dynamic environment and I am grateful to the fantastic team that have been behind me every step of the way.”

The winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on 4 March, during Scottish Apprenticeship Week (1-5 March).