Working in Scotland: apprentices and employers share their experience

Working in Scotland: apprentices and employers share their experience

At the heart of Scottish Apprenticeship Week are the people whose lives and workplaces are shaped by apprenticeships every day.

The modern apprenticeship in dental nursing enables participation from across Scotland. It supports both early-career learners and those choosing a new direction later in life.

Apprentices consistently describe the programme as transformative for their confidence and capability.

One apprentice shared:

“My experience as a dental nursing apprentice has been really positive so far. I’ve enjoyed learning new skills within the workplace and working alongside other students on the course. The course has helped to build my confidence within the workplace and has given me a wider understanding of why we do what we do.”

Another, who joined as a mature apprentice, reflected on the flexibility of the programme:

“Being able to study online while working full time has been so beneficial, especially around family life. I would recommend a Modern Apprenticeship to anyone planning a career change.”

Employers see clear benefits too. Many describe the apprenticeship as a high-quality, fully funded route that strengthens both individuals and dental teams.

One employer explained:

“Although we provided in-house training for our trainees, it wasn’t until they attended the NES dental nurse training programme that we saw real growth in confidence and competence. The protected learning time, away from the busy clinical environment, enabled them to develop the underpinning knowledge that has made a genuine difference to their work.”

Others highlight the wider impact on the practice, from improved communication to stronger team engagement. The development of meta-skills such as curiosity, adaptability and collaboration is often noted as a particular strength.

The apprenticeship does more than support qualification. It helps build confident professionals who contribute meaningfully to patient care and to their teams from an early stage in their careers.

Find out more via Turas 

#ScotAppWeek26

---