GCU graduate hired as dragon’s apprentice
Friday 26th February 2010
Glasgow Caledonian graduate Fraser McLean has been named as one of Scots Dragon Shaf Rasul’s four new apprentices.
Fraser, 24, beat over 2000 people to land the one-year apprenticeship programme and the opportunity to be mentored by one of the country’s most forward-thinking business leaders.
The GCU graduate from Bearsden will now be set to work within the Edinburgh-based entrepreneur’s expanding business portfolio which includes the distribution of storage media as well as property, internet technology and e-commerce.
He said: “Having graduated with a first class honours degree in audio technology and multimedia I returned to Caledonian to complete my masters degree in wireless communication technologies and graduated with distinction.”
“During that time I won the Freescale Semiconductor Award for best MSc project for Wireless Communications, and on graduating I took the opportunity to teach in the university as a lab demonstrator for Visual Software Development, Real-Time DSP, Communications and the Internet and Audio Signal Processing. I really enjoyed the experience of helping people understand the difficult concepts and I took a lot from the role which helped build my confidence. I feel the university has been very good to me and has a great support structure with good lecturers.
“Shaf’s apprentice initiative offered a two-day, high-pressure selection process with the opportunity to be mentored by a national business leader.
“I am really proud to have secured one of the positions and I now look forward to getting started and learning more about how business works.”
“I’ve always had big ideas and am keen to establish my own media business one day.
“The one year apprenticeship with Shaf will offer great networking opportunities and will also give me the confidence and ability to successfully launch on my own.
“It is going to be an incredible experience and I can’t wait to start putting all of my ideas and educational experience into a real, high-paced business environment.”
Shaf Rasul launched the apprentice initiative in response to latest government figures which show that youth unemployment hit one million at the end of last year. He said: “I’d firstly like to welcome Fraser into my business and congratulate him on securing the one-year apprenticeship programme.
“Young people have been hit harder than any other age group during the recession and we launched this search to give four young people their first step on to the career ladder.
“Part of the strategy will also be to mould energetic entrepreneurs who will have the ability and business acumen to go away and develop world-class businesses that will boost the Scottish economy.
“Throughout the search we have focussed on engaging with bright, driven people who could join our team and play a key role in the development of our business portfolio.
“The standard of candidate has been incredible and I was truly inspired by the level of dynamism and enthusiasm on display throughout the selection process.
“However Fraser raised his level when it really mattered and demonstrated the essential entrepreneurial flair, self-motivation and leadership needed to be a success within my organisation.
“I’m now looking forward to setting him to work within my business and supporting and monitoring his development throughout his 12-month apprenticeship programme.”