A BORDERS knitwear worker is using her 30-year mill experience to help young apprentices.

Rosemary Storrie is passing on the skills required by Cassie Keegan, who was recruited three years ago as a Modern Apprentice in Mending and Design by the House of Cheviot in Hawick.

And other businesses all over the Borders are backing a national campaign to get more young people into apprenticeships to boost their career prospects. Rosemary said: “I’m a mender and have been working in knitwear for many years.” “It makes sense for the training to be done by me but at first I did wonder what was is best way to do it. Then I spoke to Ian Smith who co-ordinates the programme and realised that the simplest way to do it was work through the basics and from that it became really simple to work out the programme.” Cassie knew all about House of Cheviot as both her parents worked in the local textile industry, but while she was still at Hawick High didn’t believe she would find work in sewing, which she particularly enjoyed. The 19-year-old said: “It was my sewing teacher who noticed that I was good at it and suggested contacting the House of Cheviot. I came in here straight from school and finished my Modern Apprenticeship last year.” “There’s a lot of unemployment round here so having a trade like this is amazing – I love my job and knowing I’m trained in a way which means I’ll always have work is very satisfying.” Rosemary has a similar attitude and is delighted to see young people in the area being given the opportunity to learn a trade. She added: “They want to work and we want to help them.” Now in its fourth year, Scottish Apprenticeship Week is set to be bigger and better than ever with more than 120 events taking place from the Shetland Islands to the Borders.

The week-long celebration of Modern Apprenticeships, from May 19 to 23, is organised by national training body Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

SDS Chief Executive, Damien Yeates, said: “Scottish Apprenticeship Week highlights the commitment of businesses that have decided to invest in the skills of their workforce. The week also showcases the successes of apprentices who have chosen to develop their careers by learning while working, to gain nationally recognised qualifications.

“It’s never been more important to invest in skills for the future through work-based learning.

“Modern Apprenticeships are good for business, good for individuals and good for the Scottish economy.” Two thirds of Modern Apprenticeship employers report improved productivity and quality, as well as higher morale.