Microsoft’s ‘Modern Apprentice of the Year 2015’ is…
Microsoft has crowned 21-year old Daniel Morrison, who works at Lockheed Martin in Glasgow, as the winner of 2015’s ‘Modern Apprentice of the Year’ award at a ceremony at the Scottish Parliament.
Daniel Morrison (winner) and Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training
Daniel saw off a strong field to win in the Enterprise category, before going on to win the Overall Winner’s title. In the eyes of the 3-person judging panel, this was as a result of his exceptional contribution to Lockheed Martin since joining as an Apprentice Software Developer 18 months ago. In fact, since the New Year, Daniel has been in charge of scoping, designing, implementing and testing a vitally important functional area, as well as helping advocate for apprenticeships at company recruitment days, through blogs, and during a Skills Investment Plan reception at the Scottish Parliament.
“It’s amazing – I didn’t really expect it but I’m so delighted,” said Daniel. “The company’s been really good to me and it’s an amazing place to work. I love being a Software Developer and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone. Apprenticeships are a great way to earn experience; by the time I got to my training courses with QA I’d worked out all the basics – you learn so fast when you’re actually doing the job.”
As a result of the positive impact which Daniel’s input has had for Lockheed Martin, the company has already taken on six additional Apprentice Developers to join the team.
“Since his first day at Lockheed Martin, Daniel has shown great potential. His success and title of Microsoft Modern Apprentice of the Year is well deserved and the result of a lot of hard work, determination and commitment,” explains Lockheed Martin UK’s Chief Executive, Stephen Ball. “Daniel demonstrates the benefits that apprenticeships can bring not only to businesses but to individuals too. We hope that Daniel continues to be an ambassador for our growing number of apprentices and helps us to inspire more young people into considering opportunities in STEM careers.”
Dominic Gill is Microsoft’s Programme Lead for Apprenticeships and, as one of the judging panel, shared his reasons for awarding the Overall Winner award to Daniel: “Daniel’s advocacy for apprenticeships above and beyond his day job was what impressed us most about this outstanding apprentice. He truly is a fantastic success story for apprenticeships and a terrific example for all young people looking to make their future careers choices.”
The ceremony also included a separate Apprentice Employer Award, which was given to Standard Life. In a very strong field of employers nominated by their own apprentices, Standard Life stood out, having taken on 9 young people in its first year participating in the scheme. Each individual has been provided with a clear development path to cement their future in the technology sector.
From L-R: Clare Stronach, Rachel Gracie, Roseanne Cunningham & Katrina Ryder from Standard Life
Microsoft’s Apprenticeship Programme is part of its commitment to providing young people across the UK with relevant skills and training to kick-start their careers. In partnership with training providers QA and YouTrain, Microsoft works with businesses within its partner businesses network in Scotland to deliver the scheme.
In January 2013, Microsoft made a commitment to support the creation of 2016 Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland by 2016 in a bid to tackle youth unemployment and national skills shortages. By March 2015, 1,541 apprenticeships had been created, so Microsoft predicts it could hit that target as much as three months early.
Full Winners List
Apprentice Winners
Overall Winner – Daniel Morrison (Lockheed Martin)
Enterprise – Daniel Morrison (Lockheed Martin)
Small – Cameron King (ECS)
Medium – Matthew Forsythe (K3 Hosting)
Apprentice Runners Up
Enterprise – Donald MacKenzie (Capgemini)
Enterprise – Stephanie McDermott (William Tracey Ltd)
Medium – Andrew Scott (CompanyNet)
Medium – Jasmine Taylor (SPEX Services Ltd)
Small – Andrew Sherriffs (Itek Systems Management)
Small – Areyan Behravesh (SortmyPC Ltd)
Employer Winners
Overall Winner – Standard Life
Enterprise – Standard Life
Medium – CompanyNet
Small – Icelantic
Employer Runners Up
Enterprise – Capgemini
Enterprise – East Dunbartonshire Council
Medium – George Sharkey & Sons Ltd
Medium – Spex Services Ltd
Small – Clark Integrated Technologies
Small – Kingdom FM