Celebrating the impact of apprenticeships: Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025
06/03/2025
Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3-7 March 2025) has provided an excellent platform for businesses across Scotland to highlight the transformative impact of apprenticeships. Leading the charge are Alex Begg, ACS Clothing and Scottish Leather Group, who have showcased how apprenticeship programmes drive innovation, sustainability and skill development in the fashion and textile industry in Scotland.
Alex Begg: Weaving a future through apprenticeships
Luxury textile manufacturer Alex Begg is renowned for its craftsmanship, blending traditional weaving techniques with modern innovation. As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the company visited Hawick High School to promote Graduate Apprenticeships.
Jamie, a Mechanical Engineering Graduate Apprentice at the Hawick site, shared his journey, providing students with insights into his course, hands-on experience, and exciting projects. Alex Begg also highlighted the diverse range of apprenticeship programs available, emphasizing the long-term benefits for both students and the industry.
In addition to their educational outreach, Alex Begg’s Ayr Apprentice Team excelled in the Apprenticeship Challenge at Ayr United Football Club, winning Best Overall Project and demonstrating the remarkable talent and dedication of their apprentices.
Watch more about Alex Begg’s involvement here:
Scottish Leather Group: Building careers in a sustainable industry
Scottish Leather Group (SLG) has long been a champion of apprenticeships, investing in the future workforce by providing hands-on training and career development opportunities. To date, the company has supported nearly 300 individuals in completing their Modern Apprenticeships and currently has 10 Graduate Apprentices specialising in Leather Manufacturing, Engineering, Business and IT.
Ewan McGeoch, an Engineering Apprentice at SLG, highlighted the immense satisfaction he gains from problem-solving and learning new skills. His journey is a testament to how apprenticeships build a strong foundation for long-term careers in Scotland’s manufacturing sector.
Read more about Ewan’s experience here.
ACS Clothing: Sustainability meets skills development
ACS Clothing, Europe’s largest eco-friendly fashion hub, won SME Employer of the Year at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, underscoring its commitment to skills development.
Based in Lanarkshire, ACS processes six million garments annually, partnering with brands like H&M and The North Face to refurbish clothing for resale and rental – keeping fashion circular and reducing waste.
Michael Cusack, Chief Sustainability Officer at ACS, reinforced the company’s dedication to apprenticeships, said: “We aim to nurture a generation of skilled and environmentally conscious professionals.”
This forward-thinking approach ensures that ACS apprentices gain invaluable industry experience while contributing to a greener future.
Apprenticeships: Shaping the future of the Scottish fashion and textile industry
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025 has demonstrated the incredible value of apprenticeships – not just for individuals, but for businesses and the economy as a whole. Companies like Alex Begg, Scottish Leather Group and ACS Clothing are leading by example, showing that apprenticeships can drive innovation, sustainability and career growth across Scotland.
As these businesses continue to invest in emerging talent, they are ensuring that Scotland remains a hub of skilled professionals, ready to shape the future of manufacturing, sustainability and craftsmanship.