'Investing in the future of Scotch whisky' by Liam Comiskey

Thinking about starting a career in whisky?  An apprenticeship could be one of the best places to start. But what’s life really like for young apprentices in one of Scotland’s most established industries? One of International Beverage’s star apprentices, Liam Comiskey, alongside our HC Director, Sam Kirk share their top three reasons to give modern apprenticeships a go.

Liam

1. A clear career path: after school I studied football coaching at college but when Covid hit I ended up working in retail before joining International Beverage as a Line Operator. One of my managers approached me about an apprenticeship within the warehouses and I now feel like I’m really getting somewhere. I’m gaining qualifications and new experiences every week which feel like steppingstones, helping me move further along in my career.
2. Exceeding my own expecations: I didn’t know much about whisky before I started but there’s a lot to learn behind the scenes. I’m in a different squad every week. I’ve been a bottler, I’ve just gained my forklift license, I’m learning about receipts and paperwork…and that’s just seven months in! I had no idea that I’d be able to accomplish so much in such a short space of time.
3. Learning a lot (and getting paid for it): it feels like the best of both worlds; learning new skills and specialist knowledge at the same time as being paid to be part of a great team in the world of work.

Sam

1. Finding fresh talent: spirits makers need a vast range of skills on their team: makers, marketers, engineers, chemists, bookkeepers, brand specialists …it’s a long and varied list and it’s not always easy to find ready-made people for each role. Apprenticeships are a great way to bring brilliant, talented young people into our business. Trained up with the right skills and opportunities, they’re helping us create our dream workforce for the future.
2. Building a diverse workplace: we’re very big on company culture and creating an environment that’s nurturing, empowering and stimulating for everybody. Apprenticeships help us do just that. They make roles accessible to more people and those people bring different backgrounds, experiences and points of view to the mix. It makes for more vibrant and effective business teams.
3. Connecting with community: we're a global spirits business but we place a huge amount of value on local community. It’s where our teams and their families live, and where we source many of the raw materials for production. Creating opportunities for young people in these communities feels right for us. There’s no prouder moment than seeing them achieve their goals and thrive in our business.