East Dunbartonshire MP, Amy Callaghan, has thrown her support behind Lullaby Lane Nurseries after they were named finalists in the SME Employer of the Year category at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
The local MP visited the nursery last week to present staff with a copy of a parliamentary motion celebrating their nomination. Following the visit, Ms Callaghan said that nursery staff “fully deserve” the nomination in recognition of their “hard work, particularly in supporting families through the pandemic”, and said that the nursery “deserved a lot of credit for taking on – and keeping on – young apprentices”.
Lullaby Lane has nurseries in Bearsden and Milngavie, with both sites remaining open throughout the pandemic. This led to a demand for additional staff who were recruited through the Kickstart Scheme, an initiative that provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
It is this engagement with young apprentices that has led to the nursery’s nomination in the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, set up to recognise the resilience and hard work of Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices and shine a spotlight on employers, providers and individuals who champion apprenticeships.
The winners of the 2022 Scottish Apprenticeship Awards will be announced during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, 7–11 March 2022, with Lullaby Lane Nurseries facing down competition in the SME category from Forres-based AES Solar and Pointer Ltd in Glasgow.
Commenting, Amy Callaghan MP said:
"To be shortlisted for this award is a tremendous achievement for Lullaby Lane Nurseries, and it is testament to the hard work of all staff.
“When I dropped by last week, I was really impressed by the management structure at Lullaby Lane, which make the nursery an attractive place to work for the young apprentices who are recruited through the Kickstart Scheme. That’s clearly shown by the number of apprentices who stay on following the completion of their apprenticeship.
“Lullaby Lane is a fantastic local business that plays such an important role in the lives of the families that rely on it. I wish them the very best luck in the final of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.”