A BRIGHT future awaits ExxonMobil’s latest recruits who have accepted apprenticeships at the Fife Ethylene Plant.

Cammy Sneddon and Nathan Pearse are the latest in a long line of successful young people, stretching back more than 30 years, to join the company’s highly sought-after apprenticeship programme.

The lucky youngsters are looking forward to embarking on a four-year Modern Apprentice course at Forth Valley College, to prepare them for a future in machinery and instrumentation engineering.

They join a number of highly-experienced former apprentices at the plant which boasts more than 800 years of experience among its valued employees.

Cammy (17) will study to become a Machinery Technician, while Nathan, who is also 17, will be an Instrumentation Technician.

The first year of their apprenticeship will be full-time at college learning the skills to prepare them for a challenging and rewarding career in their fields of engineering, with the second and third years doing day release at college while working at FEP and their final year full-time on the plant being mentored by experienced employees.

Jeroen Koutstaal, Maintenance Manager, said: “We again had great interest in our apprenticeships at FEP, and received around 150 applications this year. It’s good to see that FEP is seen as an attractive place to learn and work. Our places are particularly valued as we only recruit for identified future needs.

“FEP has an encouraging, diverse and positive learning culture with great opportunities for people to develop themselves at every stage in their career, and we look forward to welcoming Cammy and Nathan to our team.

“They presented themselves very well during the selection process and we have high expectations of what they can achieve. Together with our long-term partner, Forth Valley College, we will support them at all stages of their study, practical training and graduation.”

The new recruits visited FEP last week, when they met Jeroen and members of their teams .

Cameron said: “I heard about the apprenticeship from my grandad who saw the advert. He cut it out and gave it to me and I applied right away.

“When I heard I had got it I was at his house and we were both really happy. ExxonMobil is a highly-respected company and I am looking forward to joining the team.”

Nathan added: “At school I really enjoyed a new subject called design, engineer, construct, which was just introduced last year.

“I’m delighted about the apprenticeship and look forward to going to college to learn the skills I need and put them into practice when I come to FEP.”