ELLON bricklayer Glen Thomson (22) has scooped the Apprentice of the Year prize at the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council’s 2016 Apprenticeship Awards.
Glen, who became an apprentice bricklayer at Scotia Homes in 2012, was presented with the James Birnie award for Craft Excellence at a ceremony in the Scottish Parliament. He was nominated by his employer for the “tremendous determination and the outstanding quality” of his work.
The prize is the latest in a string of awards Glen has won since he began his apprenticeship, including a Student Achievement Award from North East Scotland College, the North East Scotland College Bricklayer 1st Year Apprentice of the Year award and North East Scotland College Bricklayer 2nd Year Apprentice of the Year.
Gordon Gerrie of Scotia Homes said, “We are so pleased that Glen has won this coveted award. He has excelled in every aspect of his apprenticeship, showing a maturity and determination well beyond his years. His ability to consistently produce an impeccable quality of work no matter what the task gives me every confidence for his future.”
Three other awards were handed out at this year’s ceremony. Scott Boyle, a Greenock apprentice ceiling fixer employed by Brian Henderson Interiors, won the Construction Specialist Apprentice of the Year Award. Paul Thain, a plant maintenance apprentice with Subsea 7 in Caithness, won the Civil Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award. And Daniel Barr, an apprentice plasterer who works for PBR Building Services in Coatbridge and Alexander Lind, a carpentry and joinery apprentice at Truebuild Trade Services in Edinburgh, were named joint winners of the Adult Apprentice of the Year Award.
Scottish Government Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn MSP said, “Congratulations to all the apprentices who have been recognised for their hard work and dedication. The Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) is an excellent platform to nurture and support apprentices in the construction industry and these inspiring success stories show the real benefit apprenticeships make to individuals, employers and the Scottish economy.”
SBATC chairman Gavin Hay added, “Apprenticeships continue to be the lifeblood of the Scottish construction industry and the industry continues to punch well above its weight in terms of the high number and outstanding quality of apprenticeship opportunities we are able to offer. Once again this year, it’s great to be able to celebrate the remarkable achievements and universally high standard of all those shortlisted for the SBATC Apprenticeship Awards.”
