Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026 – Apprentice Spotlight
We caught up with 20-year-old Cairn Campbell from Fife to talk about his Plastering Apprenticeship and his plans for the future.
Who is your employer and which apprenticeship are you doing?
My employer is Fife Council and I’m currently doing a Plastering Apprenticeship.
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
My grandad was a plasterer, and I was surrounded by the trade growing up so I’ve always had an interest in it.
What were you doing before starting your apprenticeship?
I worked at Screwfix and occasionally laboured for my grandad.
What does your apprenticeship involve?
It involves all aspects of plastering and working onsite as well as learning at college.
Have you faced any challenges, either before starting or during your apprenticeship? How did you overcome them?
I had applied for the apprenticeship I have now the year before I got it but was unfortunately unsuccessful. I then got a job and kept on labouring and learning the basics of plastering with my grandad gaining knowledge, confidence and a basic skill set. Then I applied the next year and was successful!
If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering an apprenticeship, what would it be?
To do it, you learn so much about the trade you choose, and you learn a lot about yourself in the process. If you’re considering an apprenticeship know that you should give 100% effort as it sets up your future, no one else’s.
Do you have any messages for your lecturers?
Ali, Manus and Davey have all been great help and I have learned a lot from them. They’re down to earth and normal guys so it’s a pleasure to learn from them.
What are your plans for the future?
My short-term plans are to finish my apprenticeship and be fully qualified and longer term I’d like to own my own plastering business or take my skill set somewhere abroad to experience something different.
Finish this sentence - The best thing about doing an apprenticeship is…
Learning a trade you’re interested in, gaining a skillset for yourself and learning skills that will improve you in your work life and out of work life. It sets you up for the future!
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I’ve had a great time so far throughout my apprenticeship and learned a lot about the trade and myself. During my first year, I came second place at the Fife Council Apprentice of the Year Awards which was a big achievement for me, and I’m hoping to go one further and win it in my second year.