12 March 2024 

Former Fife College engineering apprentice Iona McGhie has picked up the Modern Apprentice of the Year gong at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards. 

Iona, a young engineer at premium drinks firm Diageo, beat competition from across Scotland to be named Modern Apprentice of the Year SCQF Level 6+.

The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards celebrate outstanding apprentices, their employers, instructors and mentors from across Scotland.

Speaking about her win, Iona said:

“I am absolutely over the moon to win this award because I feel like I’ve worked so hard and it’s just an honour to be recognised for the things I’ve done at work and how hard I’ve put myself into what I’m doing.

“I’ve learned so much through my apprenticeship and the confidence I have gained through it has been unreal.”

Iona is hoping her path through Scottish Apprenticeships will inspire other young women to get into a career in science, technology, engineering or maths.

The young engineer realised the benefits of apprenticeships when she took one as a school subject and decided to continue to pursue her dream career through work-based learning.

Iona added:

“My grandad inspired me to get into engineering, letting me join him at his work bench to hammer nails and saw things – I just loved working with my hands.

“I want to be that inspiration for other young women to think about STEM careers, because I just love what I do.”

The 23-year-old completed the Foundation Apprenticeship at Kirkland High School before progressing on to a Modern Apprenticeship with drinks firm Diageo, at their packaging plant in Leven, whilst studying an HNC in Mechanical Engineering at Fife College.

Iona’s now started the next stage in her apprenticeship journey as a Graduate Apprentice working with the firm and studying for her degree in Mechanical Engineering with Edinburgh’s Heriot Watt University.

Fife College Modern Apprenticeship Development Partner, Roseanne Somerville said:

“We are so proud to have played a role in Iona’s apprenticeship journey which serves as an inspiring example for young women considering a career in STEM.

“An exceptional apprentice whose commitment and attitude to her studies were always exemplary, Iona has developed into a confident and competent engineer. She is more than deserving of her Modern Apprentice of the Year award which I am sure will give her an extra boost as she continues her career.”

Diageo Capability Manager Rhoda Gabellone said:

“Iona absolutely embraced the whole apprenticeship. She won everyone over and went above and beyond.

“She is a very proactive learner, always keen to progress, and is a natural at coaching and mentoring the younger apprentices who are coming through.

“Apprentices bring new ways of thinking and working, a drive and eagerness to learn and they help us to future proof our business by bringing new skills.”

Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work Gillian Martin, who spoke at the event and presented young butcher Marc Ingram with the overall title of Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year award, said:

“It’s been absolutely tremendous to be here, at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards and celebrate the talent that there is out there in Scotland and the value of apprenticeships in harnessing that talent.

“Apprenticeships are a vital part of Scotland’s skills system, and key to supporting our young people into rewarding careers, while helping others upskill, reskill and progress in their chosen careers.

“The Scottish Government’s priority is to ensure that our apprenticeships are of high quality and lead to sustainable employment opportunities with fair work principles at the core.

“I congratulate Marc and all of the award finalists and winners. They are an inspiration and I wish them well in their future careers.”  

Modern Apprenticeships are jobs open to anyone aged 16 and over who wants to work, learn and earn. Modern Apprentices spend most of their time learning in the workplace while being supported by a local college or specialist training provider to gain an industry-recognised qualification.

More information about apprenticeship opportunities in Fife can be found here.