THE Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB), the body in charge of apprenticeships in Scotland, has appointed Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, to chair its group of industry experts and lead the strategic direction of apprenticeships.
Farrer, who has more than three decades of industry expertise, played a key role in the development of Scottish Water’s apprenticeship model of developing talent.
On his appointment, he said: “I want there to be an apprenticeship available to every young person who wants to do one in Scotland, and for any employer to be able to offer apprenticeships in their field.
“I am proud to be in the position where I can help to lead such an exceptional group of people and businesses, to ensure apprenticeships get the recognition they deserve and that there is the effective collaboration between all those involved in Scotland’s skills system.”
Mike Cantlay, the chair of the Scottish Funding Council, works with Skills Development Scotland to fund and deliver foundation and graduate apprenticeships in Scotland.
He said: “Peter is a welcome addition to the already exceptional membership which is the SAAB, heralding a new collaborative phase.”
Frank Mitchell, CEO of Scottish Power and chair of Skills Development Scotland, said: “SAAB has been hugely successful and has created a strong ‘employer-led’ platform for the future growth and development of apprenticeships in Scotland."
Mitchell also thanked outgoing chair Alison McGregor for her expert leadership during her four-year tenure.
Farrer, a chartered civil engineer, holds an MBA, is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and is vice-president of the Institute of Customer Service.
