Edinburgh bee company nurtures new talent for Scottish Apprenticeship Week
Edinburgh’s Scottish Bee Company has appointed two new apprentices as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week (1st-5th March).
Article Source: The Scottish Bee Company
Last Updated: 1 March 2021 15:43
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2021 aims to share the value apprenticeships can bring to individuals, employers and the economy. This year's theme is Business Backing Talent, to showcase the great things that happen when employers back talent through apprenticeships.
The Scottish Bee Company started Scotland’s first bee farming apprenticeship and has continued to nurture young talent since it was established in 2017.
Rachel Henderson, 23, from Edinburgh is one of the latest recruits. She has just started a one-year apprenticeship as a digital marketing assistant with the Lothians-based firm. Heather Goater, 23, from Edinburgh has also taken on a one-year apprenticeship as an operations and logistics assistant.
With backing from the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Bee Company is helping Rachel and Heather get the chance of an apprenticeship, whilst adding real value to its business.
Rachel, who is an Edinburgh Napier University business graduate, will be responsible for managing the Scottish Bee Company’s social media channels, as well as digital content creation, brand partnerships, managing relationships with existing stockists and building links with quality health food retailers across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Rachel said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Scottish Bee Company’s apprenticeship scheme in time for the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
“I was really attracted the ethos and values of the company and how much they’ve achieved in such a short space of time. I’m looking forward to adding my own creativity to the brand and developing my digital marketing skills at the same time.”
Heather studied business management at Napier University before taking on the apprenticeship with the Scottish Bee Company. Her daily duties will include managing the supply of goods from production to customer order and delivery. This involves the procurement of materials, distribution and transport of products, fulfilling orders, imports, exports, warehouse management, and product processing.
Heather said: “I can’t wait to get started and stuck into my new role. I was attracted to the Scottish Bee Company because of its focus on sustainability and everything it stands for.
“I’m confident that the apprenticeship will help me kick start my career by giving me the experience and skills I need. I hope to climb the ladder at the Scottish Bee Company and hopefully turn this into opportunity into a long-term position.”
The Scottish Bee Company was founded by Iain and Suzie Millar in 2017 out of a love for the environment and the honey bee. Iain and Suzie were saddened by the continually documented decline in the bee population, so they decided that they would do something to help. Along with dwindling bee numbers, they were also astonished to find how much honey consumed in the UK is imported from around the world. They felt strongly that we need more, home grown, bee-friendly honey.
In two years they have increased bee numbers by around 23 million, launched their sister charity Repollinate.org.uk which aims to further increase pollination through education programmes and wildflower spaces, committed to donating 10p from every unit sold to Repollinate, tripled sales year on year, trained as Sommelier in honey and won a Great Taste Award for their Heather honey.
Suzie Millar, Co-founder of The Scottish Bee Company, said:
“We’re huge supporters of apprenticeship initiatives like this and are really proud to have started Scotland’s first bee farming apprenticeship.
“Businesses like ours have needed to adapt to challenging times during the pandemic. Employers and learning providers have innovated so apprentices can learn, achieve and progress. While businesses taking on apprentices have developed new and safe ways to recruit in their commitment to backing talent.
“We look forward to supporting Rachel and Heather as the begin their apprenticeships with the Scottish Bee Company and hope the experience will give them the experience and skills they need to progress in their chosen career.”
Produced in beehives located in the Lothians, Dumfriesshire, Stirlingshire, Fife and Aberdeenshire, The Scottish Bee Company’s heather honey was revealed as a world-leading superfood in a scientific study in 2020. It contains up to 10 times more of the essential micronutrient, manganese, compared to 200 of its global rivals, including manuka.
In 2020, the Scottish Bee Company’s heather honey became the first ever food product in the UK to be awarded the British Standards Institution (BSI) Kitemark verification for provenance. The Kitemark is more commonly used to identify products where safety is paramount, such as crash helmets, smoke alarms and flood defences, but consumers are increasingly looking for trusted industry assurances on the quality and origin of the food they eat.
The Scottish Bee Company has quickly established itself as one the country’s leading super food producers with sales contracts already secured with Selfridges UK-wide; House of Bruar and Edinburgh’s I.J. Mellis, as well as speciality health food shops in the Far East.
For more information about Scottish Apprenticeship Week (1st-5th March), visit www.apprenticeships.scot/scottish-apprenticeship-week
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ScottishApprenticeships
Twitter https://twitter.com/apprentice_scot
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/apprentice_scot
For more information about The Scottish Bee Company visit www.scottishbeecompany.co.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/scottishbeecompany
Instagram www.instagram.com/scottishbeecompany
Twitter https://twitter.com/scottishbeeco
Image: Rachel Henderson (left) and Heather Goater (right) starting their apprenticeship at the Scottish Bee Company today (Monday 1st March) as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week (1st-5th March).
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Free Surf Lessons for Kids at Lost Shore Surf Resort this July
Lost Shore Surf Resort, Scotland’s most exciting new holiday destination, is making waves for families this summer - with free surf lessons and sessions for kids throughout July.
READ MORE
EIFF to present World Premiere of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab Short Films
Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced that the six short films created as part of the inaugural NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab will have their World Premieres this year.
READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition
Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
READ MORE
Casting Announced for FRIENDS! The Musical Parody coming to Edinburgh and Glasgow
Today, the producers of the 2025/26 UK and Ireland tour of FRIENDS! The Musical Parody are delighted to announce casting for the side-splitting musical comedy.
READ MORE
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!
Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!
READ MORE
Houstoun House recognised as one of the top hotels in UK by Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Awards
Houstoun House in West Lothian has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards 2025 following consistently high ratings from guests.
READ MORE
Paint the town pink this summer
Edinburgh’s first ‘Rosé Wine Trail’ has been launched across the capital this week as part of a summer-long campaign to celebrate the popular pink tipple.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Bar Awards returns for year two
After a sold-out debut last year, The Edinburgh Bar Awards are back for year two and they’re coming in even stronger.
READ MORE
Stumpy the Lemur makes history at Five Sisters Zoo
One of Five Sisters Zoo’s most beloved residents has achieved worldwide recognition as the oldest living ring-tailed lemur in captivity, according to Guinness World Records.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces closing night film of Midnight Madness strand
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 announces UK Premiere of eagerly-awaited cult classic remake THE TOXIC AVENGER as closing night film of year’s Midnight Madness strand.
READ MORE
25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway
Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.
READ MORE
June at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
From Masterclasses to Father's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in June!
READ MORE
Teachers warn new school uniforms are too costly for too many families
With many families in Edinburgh finding the cost of purchasing a new school uniform completely unaffordable, The Leith Collective launches free school uniform exchange.
READ MORE
Young Carers enjoy a break this Carers Week at Edinburgh Zoo
Young carers from across Scotland will enjoy a well-deserved day out at Edinburgh Zoo on Wednesday 12th June, thanks to a partnership between Carers Trust Scotland and the RZSS.
READ MORE
Filmhouse cinema announces opening programme
Edinburgh’s landmark cinema Filmhouse will re-open its doors with a hand-picked programme of the very best films the cinema missed out on playing during its closure.
READ MORE
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland
Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.
READ MORE
Adele Anderson to star in UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Fascinating Aïda's Adèle Anderson will play the role of Bernadette in the UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert coming to Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2026.
READ MORE
Quebec EdFests showcase presents an exciting and varied programme
Québec’s annual Edinburgh Festivals showcase once again brings the best of circus, comedy, dance and music to the world’s biggest celebration of performing arts in 2025.
READ MORE
Raise the steaks for dad
A popular Scottish beer brand is serving up the ultimate rare treat this Father's Day!
READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland
The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.
READ MORE
Duck & Waffle Edinburgh introduces The 9pm Club
This summer, Duck & Waffle Edinburgh is inviting the city to stay out late with the launch of The 9pm Club, a brand-new summer initiative.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival announces Repair as theme for 2025 programme
Repair is the Book Festival’s core theme for 2025, seeking to explore the many things around us which feel broken, and how we might seek to fix them.
READ MORE
Triple B announces Five Million Refurbishment for OMNi Centre in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s premier leisure and entertainment destination, Omni Centre, has announced a £5 million refurbishment and works are set to begin in June 2025.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Open Workshop: Custom Beer Caddy
Edinburgh Open Workshop is serving up the ultimate Father's Day gift: a handcrafted Beer Caddy, complete with options to personalise or even make your own! (beer not included)
READ MORE
Iconic Filmhouse cinema reopens its doors on 27th June 2025
On 27th June 2025, Filmhouse, Scotland’s leading independent cinema, opens its doors and looks to the future as a home for community connection and cinematic discovery.
READ MORE
Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM
Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.
READ MORE
Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores
Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.
READ MORE
Cameo Picturehouse Brings TWIN PEAKS To The Big Screen With Repertory Film Strand REPHOUSE
Cameo Picturehouse is thrilled to be celebrating more than six months of repertory film strand REPHOUSE with a daily selection of timeless classics and cult favourites.
READ MORE
Paws, play and heritage on parade
Bark by popular demand, the Gordon Setter Parade returns on Saturday 5th July as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, held at the stunning Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party
Dobbies Garden Centres are inviting families across the UK along to its stores on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June to spend a magical afternoon filled with fun activities and good food.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links