First Modern Apprentice at the IGMM
IGMM Design and Publication Modern Apprentice Assistant: Connor Warnock: March 2018
During Scottish Apprenticeships Week (5-9 March), the University of Edinburgh celebrated the benefits that apprenticeships bring to businesses, individuals and the economy. The IGMM is delighted to be hosting our first Modern Apprentice.
Connor Warnock is the IGMM Design and Publication Modern Apprentice Assistant, working with Craig Nicol, Design & Publications Specialist in the IGMM Design and Publication Studio.
Connor began his 18 month Apprenticeship in October and already is making a positive impact by applying his existing graphic design skills. Connor previously worked for a variety of Scottish design agencies, including Snook, Rapp Edinburgh and Shaw, after completing his three-year HND in Visual Communication: Graphic Design at Edinburgh College in 2016.
Connor has always been interested in art and biology and is “delighted to working in the IGMM where I can apply my Graphic Design skills to help with the visual communication of the research that happens here”.
Before Connor started, he assumed he’d be based in the university’s central campus, surrounded by students. Instead, he has found working in the IGMM on the Western General Hospital Campus fascinating, as he learns about the diversity of research undertaken within the Institute’s three research centres.
Connor has been impressed that 600 people work within this Institute and loves the fact that “every day is different - meeting new people, learning about their work and being able to help them by designing everything from logos to conference programmes to creating animations that explain complicated biological processes”.
By using new equipment and graphic design software, Connor is expanding his skills and is also learning new skills in photography and videography, including attending photography training courses at Edinburgh College.
Connor says he wouldn’t hesitate to recommend an Apprenticeship to anyone who might be interested, as Modern Apprenticeships offer a great opportunity to develop skills while working within great teams.
A modern apprenticeship is a good stepping-stone into the industry, particularly an industry that is hard to get into without experience.
The University also offers work experience to high school pupils so they can learn directly about the world of work. The IGMM is currently hosting Joseph Flower, an S6 pupil from Dunbar Grammar School. Joseph is a talented Videographer and is working with Dee Davison, IGMM Communications and Public Engagement Manager and Craig Nicol.
Modern Apprenticeships
The Modern Apprenticeships initiative enables young people to earn while they acquire the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career. The apprenticeships offer high quality work-based learning that enable young people to learn on the job, working on real projects with experienced colleagues, alongside study at a Further Education college. It is a structured programme which leads to an industry-approved qualification. The Modern Apprentice qualification is accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The goal of the national programme is to help create a skilled workforce that’s ready to face the future.
Links
- Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2018
- Meet the University of Edinburgh’s Modern Apprentices
- Youth & Student Employment
- Modern Apprentices make their mark