At Dolphin Drilling, we believe in hands-on experience shaping the future workforce. Over the past six months, we’ve proudly participated in the Foundation Apprenticeship programme, which provides senior-phase secondary school pupils with a work-based learning opportunity and real-world experience alongside their studies. The programme offers a qualification equivalent to a higher, opening pathways to further education and employment.
For many young professionals, a lack of hands-on experience is a barrier to securing jobs after graduation. This programme bridges that gap, helping students gain essential workplace skills early. As part of our Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) commitment, Dolphin Drilling pledged to support initiatives that help build the next generation of talent. Participating in the Foundation Apprenticeship programme is another way to support young people and strengthen our local community.
Meet Our Apprentices
Dolphin Drilling welcomed Foundation Apprentices from November to March 2025 across three departments: Marketing, Human Resources, and Finance. Each apprentice was paired with a "mentor" who guided their learning and development.
- Marketing Coordinator: Sarah Gardyne
- HR & Training Coordinator: Hannah Johnston
- Senior Group Accountant: Andrew McGeachy
Although the mentors were the main point of contact for the apprentices, other colleagues were also crucial to the apprentices' learning curve and overall experience with the Company.
Aidan Clinton, Foundation Apprenticeship SCQF Level 6 in Creative & Digital Media, Marketing Department
Aidan’s tasks centred on the creative industry, focusing on creating digital content, including videos, graphics, and social media posts. Alongside our general company training courses, Aidan has also completed online training courses and one-to-one sessions related to the subject matter.
Aidan reflects:
“Dolphin Drilling is a professional and welcoming company. They ensure you have all the necessary tools to do your absolute best and truly care for their employees. I really enjoyed the video production and the overall project the college and my supervisor set for me. This experience has also enhanced my understanding of a workplace-based career in a positive way, highlighting the importance of working both cooperatively and individually. Overall, the experience at Dolphin Drilling has further demonstrated the workplace culture and allowed me to see firsthand the world of work in the oil and gas industry.”
Mentor Sarah Gardyne comments:
“Aidan demonstrated great initiative and strong work ethic during his time with us. He was highly professional and showed genuine enthusiasm for the main project brief, which was refreshing to see. He approached his tasks with efficiency, consistently striving to produce work to the highest standard. Aidan will be a great asset to any company in the future, and I hope this experience has provided him with practical workplace skills that will serve him well in his career.”
Lauren Campbell, Foundation Apprenticeship SCQF Level 6 in Business Skills, Human Resources Department
Lauren’s task list consisted of our online training courses; LinkedIn learning and profile creation/optimisation, a presentation to the HR team and the creation of induction certifications for Blackford nationals (the rig is currently in India).
Lauren reflects:
“My time at Dolphin Drilling was a valuable experience and a great learning opportunity. All the staff were very pleasant and helpful, guiding me through my placement and answering all my questions with clear instructions and reassurance when needed. It has shown me what a working environment is like and how it all works. I am very lucky and glad to have had the opportunity to work at Dolphin Drilling, and I enjoyed experiencing the various aspects that came with it including:
- Creating and working with a project task list set by the HR department gave structure whilst completing my apprenticeship but I also worked on my own tasks. The team encouraged me to voice my opinions and any different ways of working
- Working with a team and having a lot of support around me
- Learning a lot about IT, including teams, Outlook calendars, SharePoint, and even printers—things I didn’t have much experience with before.”
Mentor Hannah Johnston comments:
“Lauren takes a hands-on approach to tasks and is always inquisitive, which is a great trait to have, as it enables her to better understand the work she’s being asked to complete. We were limited to 5 hours throughout the week; however, Lauren got on with tasks and asked how she could prioritise. We had weekly catch-ups to review our progress against tasks and the KPIs set by the college, which helped focus our attention for the week to come.”
Fayez Mian, Foundation Apprenticeship SCQF Level 6 in Accounting, Finance Department
Fayez gained experience in invoice coding, prepaids, accruals, and cash forecasting, providing him with insights into supplier invoice analysis, financial allocations, accounting principles, and cash flow management, enhancing his understanding of IFS, Excel reporting, and budgeting processes.
Fayez reflects:
“I had a great time at Dolphin Drilling, where everyone was always very friendly and helpful. I enjoyed being part of the financial processes, and I appreciated seeing my work make a difference while learning new skills, rather than just reading from textbooks in school or college. The biggest thing I learned is that accounting and finance are not what I expected, and are a lot more interesting than I thought they would be.”
Mentor Andrew McGeachy comments:
“Fayez showed great maturity during the interview process, considering he was so young and has proven to be a valuable addition to the team, with early signs indicating he has a natural aptitude for Accountancy. He shows great enthusiasm and positivity to any task set, is very eager to learn, and communicates professionally with his colleagues. Fayez listens intently to instructions, rarely has to ask anything twice and will always try to recognise why the task set is important.”
Benefits of the Programme
Supporting Foundation Apprenticeships aligns with our commitment to Our Community. By creating opportunities for individuals who may not have had them otherwise, we are committed to providing them with the chance to grow, develop, and succeed within our industry. The presence of the foundation apprentices creates a positive workplace culture, promoting continuous learning and development. Additionally, the apprenticeships offer valuable mentoring and leadership opportunities for our existing employees, especially those without direct reports. This experience enables them to assume responsibility for guiding and supporting junior members, thereby enhancing their own professional growth.
Michael Boyd, Chief Commercial Officer at Dolphin Drilling, states:
"At Dolphin Drilling, we believe in creating opportunities for the next generation. By supporting apprenticeships, we not only pass down valuable industry experience but also welcome fresh ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm into our business. These young people are the future of our industry, and it’s essential to inspire and equip them with the skills they need to succeed. Participating in this initiative strengthens our reputation as a socially responsible employer—not just in words but through tangible action. We are proud to play a role in shaping the workforce that will drive our industry forward."
We encourage other organisations to participate in similar programmes or invest in the future workforce. Supporting young talent benefits individuals, businesses, and the industry as a whole. If your business is interested in getting involved, explore the resources below: