Lews Castle College UHI Student Wins Prestigious National Apprenticeship.

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Lews Castle College UHI student Megan Ferguson has been selected from thousands of applicants nationwide to be one of just 40 to win a prestigious Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP) Apprenticeship.

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The OGTAP scheme offers a range of disciplines and is sponsored by major energy operators and contractors.

Megan has just completed her NC Mechanical Engineering at LCC UHI and said, “The environment of LCC UHI was always amazing to me, every member of staff I have come across has always been more than welcoming, ranging from canteen staff to lecturing staff.

All the lecturers are hardworking but are also extremely friendly and will always be there to have a laugh with you. Which is something I really enjoy as it takes a lot of stress from your shoulders to spend 30 minutes away from your work to have a laugh with your classmates and lecturer.”

LCC UHI has worked in recent years to encourage more women into what are often seen as male dominated science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses. Megan is one of three women completing the NC Mechanical Engineering this year. 

Megan also commented, “I chose to study engineering as it was something I grew up with from a young age. I was near the time of leaving school and was still unsure of what I wanted to do so I decided to pick up a metalworking class as one of my classes for that year and found myself really enjoying it and enjoying the environment.

I could never be more thankful for my lecturers, especially Alasdair MacDonald and James Macleod. Even during the hardships of covid, my lecturers have still provided learning to us in the best way possible and have supported us through it all. It can be difficult to have to change your style of learning from face-to-face to online, but it went very smoothly for us, and I am very pleased with how things went.”

Roddy Ferguson, Head of Technology at LCC UHI said, “Congratulations to Megan in successfully completing NC Mechanical Engineering at LCC and in securing a place on the OGTAP offshore apprenticeship scheme. Having come through such a competitive selection process for the apprenticeship scheme is testament to Megan’s hard work throughout the year and I’m sure that the knowledge & skills gained during her studies will provide the ideal platform for her to thrive in this important next step towards a rewarding career in engineering”. 

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Fios Naidheachd

Oileanach aig Colaisde a’ Chaisteil a’ Buannachadh Duais Chudromach Nàiseanta Preantasachd

Chaidh an t-oileanach Megan Fearghastan aig Colaisde a’ Chaisteil a taghadh bho mhìltean de thagraichean air feadh na dùthcha gus a bhith mar aon de 40 airson buannachadh Preantasachd chudromach Prògram Preantas Teicnigeach Ola agus Gas (OGTAP).

Tha an sgeama OGTAP a’ tabhann raon de dhiosaplain agus tha e air a sponsoradh le gnìomharaichean cumhachd mòra agus cùmhnantairean

Tha Megan dìreach air an NC Einnseanaireachd Meacanaigeach a chrìochnachadh aig LCC UHI agus thuirt i, “Bha àrainn LCC UHI a riamh iongantach dhomhsa, tha a h-uile ball den sgioba-obrach air an tàinig mi tarsainn air fàilte mhòr a chur orm, eadar luchd-obrach an t-seòmar-bidhe agus na h-òraidichean.

Tha na h-òraidichean air fad ag obair gu cruaidh ach tha iad air leth càirdeil agus làn spòrs.  Tha seo a’ còrdadh rium gu mòr oir tha e a’ ciallachadh gu bheil thu a’ faighinn saorsa bho ro-uallach an uair a bhios tu a’ cur seachad 30 mionaidean a’ faighinn cothrom dibhearsain leis an fheadhainn a tha còmhla riut air a’ chlas agus an òraidiche. 

Sna beagan bhliadhnaichean a chaidh seachad, tha LCC UHI air a bhith ag obair gus boireannaich a bhrosnachadh a dhol an sàs ann an cùrsaichean a tha gu  tric air am faicinn mar fheadhainn sa bheil fireannaich nas motha an sàs mar saidheans, teicneòlas, einnseanaireachd agus matamataig (STEM). Is i Megan aon de thriùir bhoireannaich a tha dol a chrìochnachadh a’ chùrsa NC Einnseanaireachd Meacanaigeach am bliadhna.

Thuirt Megan cuideachd, “Thagh mi einnseanaireachd a dhèanamh oir is e rud a bha ann san robh mi an sàs on bha mi glè òg. Bha mi gus an sgoil fhàgail agus cha robh mi fhathast cinnteach dè a bha mi airson a dhèanamh agus thagh mi clas obair meatailt a dhèanamh mar aon de na clasaichean agam air a’ bhliadhna sin agus chòrd an clas agus an àrainn a bha na lùib gu mòr rium.

Cha b’ urrainn dhomh a bhith na bu thaingeil airson nan òraidichean a bha agam, gu h-àraid Alasdair Macdhòmhnaill agus Seumas Macleòid. Eadhoin tro dhuilgheadasan covid, thug na h-òraidichean againn ionnsachadh dhuinn anns an dòigh a b’ fheàrr a b’ urrainn agus thug iad dhuinn taic tron seo uile.  Is urrainn dha a bhith doirbh a bhith ag atharrachadh an stoidhle ionnsachaidh agad bho aghaidh-ri-aghaidh gu air-loidhne, ach chaidh e cùisean glè mhath dhuinne, agus tha mi air leth toilichte leis mar a bha e.

Thuirt Roddy Macfhearghais, Ceannard Teicneòlais LCC UHI, “Meal an naidheachd air Megan ann a bhith a’ cur crìoch gu soirbheachail air NC Einnseanaireachd Meacanaigeach aig LCC agus ann a bhith a’ faighinn àite air an sgeama OGTAP preantasachd far-tìr.  Tha a bhith air faighinn tro leithid de phròiseas taghaidh farpaiseach airson an sgeama preantasachd mar theisteanas don obair chruaidh a rinn Megan tron bhliadhna agus tha mi cinnteach gun toir an t-eòlas & sgilean a fhuair i tron chùrsa foghlaim aice dhi an t-ùrlar as fheàrr airson a bhith soirbheachail san ath cheum chudromach seo a dh’ionnsaigh dreuchd bhuannachdail ann an einnseanaireachd.

About Lews Castle College UHI

Media enquiries: Kathryn Lamont Smith – kathryn.lamontsmith@uhi.ac.uk - 07817530062

Website: https://www.lews.uhi.ac.uk/

Telephone: 01851 770 000

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