Building For The Future - The APSE Scotland Apprentice Awards Winners!

APSE Scotland has announced this year's winners of the Building and Housing Apprentice of the Year Awards 2015. The awards celebrate the achievements of Scotland’s apprentices and recognise those apprentices for their aptitude and commitment to learning a range of skills within the housing and building sector.

Announcing the award winners APSE Chief Executive Paul O’Brien said 'I am delighted by the sheer talent that this year’s awards have showcased. Each and every year the judging gets tougher and this year was no exception. The awards demonstrate that we have individuals who are committed to their apprenticeship programmes and personal development; and they are being increasingly supported by forward looking and innovative councils who truly value workforce development. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists’.

The Trade category was kindly sponsored by Mears Group Plc and their spokesperson Stephen Kelly said ‘It is fantastic to see the continued commitment to apprenticeship schemes by local authorities and we congratulate all of the finalists and winners. I hope that these up and coming stars of the future continue to play an important role within their local authorities'. 

The Non-Trade category was kindly sponsored by CMS Window Systems, whose spokesman Billy Semple commented on the finalists saying ‘During the awards process these apprentices’ have demonstrated the excellent skills and knowledge they have gained during their time training with the local authorities. They are the very people that we hope to work with in the future to take forward a positive vision in the building and housing sector’. 

Finalists and winners:

1st Year Trade Category Finalists (Sponsored by Mears Group PLC)

• Lewis McKerchar, Fife Council
• Lee Smith, South Ayrshire Council
• Andrew McVey, West Dunbartonshire Council
• James Morrow, West Lothian Council

Winner: Graeme Baird, Electrician, Aberdeen City Council

2nd Year Trade Category Finalists (Sponsored by Mears Group PLC)

• Robert McNee, Clackmannanshire Council
• Scott Wylie, East Lothian Council
• Ryan Barnes, Falkirk Council
• Joe Murray, Renfrewshire Council

Winner: Alastair Mclean, Joiner, Fife Council

3rd Year Trade Category Finalists (Sponsored by Mears Group PLC)

• Craig Marshall, Clackmannanshire Council
• Shane Steenson, Dumfries & Galloway Council
• Greig Brickstock, Falkirk Council
• Jamie Acheson, North Ayrshire Council

Winner: Kim Armstrong, Roofer, West Lothian Council

4th Year Trade Category Finalists (Sponsored by Mears Group PLC)

• Chris Black, Aberdeen City Council
• Ross Brown, South Lanarkshire Council

Winner: John Deacon, Joiner, Fife Council

Non-Trade/Professional Category Finalists (Sponsored by CMS Window Systems)

• Andrew Rae, Dumfries & Galloway Council
• Scott Findlay, Dundee City Council
• Dylan Shankland, North Ayrshire Council

Winner: Derry Lever, Trainee Quantity Surveyor, Fife Council

Ends

Notes to editor

• APSE is the Association for Public Service Excellence and is a not for profit organisation working with over 250 local authorities throughout the UK.
• The awards were held during the APSE Scotland Building, Housing and Renewables Seminar which took place at the Dunblane Hydro on 12/13 February 2015.
• Winners in each category were decided following an interview of all shortlisted apprentices by a panel of independent judges.
• For further press comment please contact Mo Baines, Head of Communication and Coordination on [email protected]. For enquiries about the seminar and awards please contact APSE Scotland by email to [email protected].