A YOUNG Inverclyde bright spark is looking forward to a career as an electrical engineer thanks to an apprenticeship programme.

Glen Fullarton, who previously worked in the rigging industry, was delighted to secure a place as an electrical engineer apprentice with aerospace and defence company Babcock International.

Now his career is on the up and he is determined to gain more experience and extra qualifications.

Glen said: “I realised that I needed a structure to help me develop my talents.

"I knew that I would be more successful if I could learn in a way that meant I could progress from stage to stage.

"I’ve got that now with my modern apprenticeship with Babcock.

"My goal is to keep studying, keep building my talent and to look for more academic or professional qualifications.”

The apprenticeship programme he is on at Her Majesty's Naval Base at Faslane is currently recruiting 20 new apprentices.

For the first time ever the Clyde programme will be offering an apprenticeship in 'project control' to complement the more traditional engineering trades on offer.

Gavin Leckie, managing director for Babcock at HMNB Clyde, said they are keen to highlight the value of apprenticeships to coincide with Scottish National Apprentice Week.

He said: "I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to recruit 20 new faces this year – the second year we have doubled our numbers from 10 apprentices.

"I was an apprentice at the beginning of my career so I completely understand how talent can be encouraged and promoted by a good, solid apprenticeship.

"With an ever more increasing need for a wider skills base at HMNB Clyde it’s also very encouraging that we will be widening our scope and looking for apprentice project controllers this year – another first for Babcock at the Naval Base.”

Further information on the available opportunities can be found at www.babcockinternational.com/careers