Apprenticeships offer fast track to career success

Thursday 14 August 2025

Young people receiving qualification results this summer are being encouraged to consider apprenticeships as a valuable alternative to university, offering hands-on experience, formal qualifications and a wage from day one.

SP Energy Networks employees who have completed or are currently undertaking apprenticeships have shared their experiences of how this career path has helped them develop both professionally and personally.

Diverse qualifications for different career paths

Anna Crichton

The apprenticeship programmes at SP Energy Networks offer a range of industry-recognised qualifications tailored to specific career paths. Daniel Leggat and Anna Crichton both completed Project Management Apprenticeships, achieving an HND in Project Management , while earning the Project Management Qualification (PMQ) from the Association of Project Managers (APM).

Anna said: 'The project management course covers a huge range of subjects. You're not just studying for an exam but also submitting evidence of how you've applied these skills in your actual work.'

Callum Craig

Daniel adds that the qualification involves 'a really intense level of engagement with your employer to make sure the skills are there. You've worked for two years towards that qualification, and the learning pathways continue from there. I'm currently working toward chartered status with APM.'

Callum Craig, in his second year as an apprentice overhead linesman, has a different experience: 'I did a nine-month pre-apprenticeship at Glasgow Clyde College. We studied technical subjects like maths and physics for electricity, along with practical hands-on skills.'

'Throughout the apprenticeship, you're constantly adding to your skills that make you more valuable to the company,' Callum explains.

Benefits beyond the classroom

Aimee Dickson

Aimee Dickson, a graduate apprentice – who has now secured an honours degree in business management – believes apprenticeships of all kinds significantly accelerate career progression: 'It really fast-tracks you within an organisation because you're building up experience and your own profile within the business. The roles that most of our trainees go into after their training programmes would take a lot longer to reach if you went to university and then spent another two or three years progressing through the business.'

Anna, who now leads SP Energy Networks’ data governance strategy, highlights the communication skills she developed: 'I was 17 when I started, and the communication skills I've developed coming from a school environment into a workplace is something I definitely wouldn't have got if I'd gone to university. I was even asked to present to our CEO and board of directors when I was only 19.'

Daniel values the practical learning approach: 'You learn the theory but then get to apply it at the same time. There's a level of trust and autonomy that's extraordinary – Anna and I were literally spending millions of pounds within our first year.'

Daniel Leggat

'I applied for the graduate apprenticeship programme after achieving four Highers at school. I’ve now had four years of people management experience out of a four-year apprenticeship,' says Aimee. 'I've had the opportunity to meet with MSPs and influence policymakers as an apprentice voice. The exposure you get through apprenticeships within SP Energy Networks is huge. I’m now the Co-Chair of the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board Apprentice Engagement Group (SAAB AEG).'

Anna reflects on her career flexibility: 'If you don't know exactly what you want to do, getting into a company like this means you can change your career path. I started in project management and now I'm in a governance team, which is totally different, but I can still use the skills from my apprenticeship.'

'The graduates joining us now are the same age as me,' Anna concludes. 'If I'd gone to university, I'd just be starting work now. Instead, I've got five extra years of experience, and the business knowledge you can gain in that time is huge.'

Real-world Experience and Professional Growth

Jen Davies, Strategic Workforce Renewals Manager at SP Energy Networks, talks about why anyone receiving their results this year should consider an apprenticeship as their next step. 'With the increasing number of young people completing SQA Awards, and other vocational and technical courses while at school, as an employer we are keen to capitalise on their interest, and give them routes into a successful career.'

Jen added: 'An apprenticeship gives a young person a chance to flourish in a real work environment while working towards relevant and recognised qualifications, and at the same time earning a wage.

'Typically, an apprentice will have a two or three year – or even greater – head-start on their career against anyone completing a traditional four-year degree programme.'

Alasdair Smith, Head of Higher National Vocational Qualification Policy at SQA said: 'Within the SP Energy Networks apprenticeship programmes, each apprentice will have the chance to develop, gain real-life experiences and responsibilities, and see themselves grow into their careers. Aimee, Daniel, Callum and Anna demonstrate daily how valuable vocational and technical qualifications combined with excellent employer-led apprenticeship programmes have given them the confidence and skills to reach further earlier in their careers and set themselves up for success in the future.'

For more information about apprenticeship opportunities, including Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships and other apprenticeship opportunities, please visit Apprenticeships.