— Apprentices graduate to full-time roles at Alba bottling plant in Livingston as the company gets ready to welcome next cohort —

The Glenmorangie Apprenticeship Academy in Livingston is celebrating its talented modern apprentices as they graduate this month and begin permanent roles with the company. The hunt is now on for the next cohort of apprentices to work with one of Scotland’s most innovative whisky companies.

All seven of the graduating apprentices have progressed to become Production Associates at The Glenmorangie Company’s bottling plant at The Alba Campus in Livingston after an intensive 18-month programme. This involved a combination of on-the-job and theoretical training, an SVQ in Spirits Operations, and an Institute of Brewing and Distilling qualification in Packaging.

The programme is designed to train apprentices to run a successful bottling process, ensuring vital skills are passed on to future generations. It will provide valuable entry-level roles and future-proof the plant for years to come to keep up with growing demand for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malt whiskies around the world. This year’s graduates have faced additional challenges after joining in the peak of the covid-19 pandemic. The Academy team quickly adapted the programme for virtual learning, supporting the 2020 intake of apprentices to complete their training in just 18 months, rather than the expected two years.

Applications to be part of Glenmorangie’s next modern apprentice group are now open to all and close on 15 May. Successful first-stage candidates will be invited to a recruitment day on 11 June to participate in a range of team and individual tasks and challenges.

Over the past few years, Glenmorangie apprentices have come from a number of educational backgrounds including school leavers, university and college graduates, and those already in employment looking for a career change.

Peter Nelson, Operations Director at The Glenmorangie Company said: “We are passionate about supporting apprentices to fully equip them with the knowledge, skills and experience required to succeed at our Alba bottling plant. No prior manufacturing experience is necessary, and we encourage anyone interested in kick-starting their career in the thriving Scotch whisky industry to get in touch.”

“The graduates who have just completed our Academy programme have done a tremendous job. Their success is a testament to their determination and willingness to learn, and the support of the wider team at Alba. As one of the best employers in Scotland we’re very much looking forward to welcoming a new group of apprentices this year.”

Fern Langan-Fortune, graduating modern apprentice at The Glenmorangie Company said: “I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved over the past 18 months. Over the course of my apprenticeship, I’ve worked hard and grown a lot in confidence with the help of the training team and my teammates. I was working as a laboratory technician when I spotted the modern apprenticeship job advert and decided to apply. I’m so glad I did – I’ve found a real sense of belonging since joining The Glenmorangie Company and have had so many opportunities for personal development, including becoming a Mental Health First Aider.”

James Bryson, a graduating apprentice, said: “I started at Glenmorangie having left the insurance industry and an office-based job, looking for a new challenge.

“The apprenticeship programme has given me a great foundation, with training covering the whisky-making process ‘from cask to bottle’. There is a great team spirit and everyone is so dedicated to the business. I’m delighted to now be a permanent member of the team and am looking forward to developing a career within The Glenmorangie Company.”