Three Apprentices from Dumfries and Galloway Council’s, Enterprising DG, Building Maintenance team recently travelled to Liverpool to attend the 2017 Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) Local Authority Housing and Building Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Awards!
The three apprentices were:
Ryan Love, 23 years, 4th Year Apprentice Joiner, from Castle Douglas, based at Abercromby Depot, Castle Douglas.
David Henderson, 24 years, 3rd Year Apprentice Joiner, from Cairnryan, based at Culhorn Depot, Stranraer.
Chris Jardine, 30 years, 1st Year Apprentice Electrician, from Dumfries, based at Cargen Tower Depot, Dumfries. ( main Image
They were nominated for Awards in their respective trades because all three showed great skills and commitment in the workplace over the preceding year. The nominations resulted in each of the apprentices preparing and submitting portfolios, giving details of their career to date, the training they are undertaking, examples and photographs of work they have done, together with assessments and references from Supervisors, Lecturers and Training Officers.
Over 300 portfolios were submitted by nominated apprentices from across the length and breadth of the country for the three Housing and Building Awards being contested; Mechanical and Electrical, Building Skills and Professional Services. These were reviewed by APSE and a short list of 16 finalists was drawn up.
All three local Apprentices were successful in being placed as finalist, taking part in “one to one” interviews, just prior to the award presentation event. Unfortunately at this stage they were pipped at the post for the top award, however each achieved Runner-Up status in their category, a major achievement in itself.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee said: “I am very proud of these young men. They have represented themselves, their Trades, and Dumfries and Galloway Council well, in a National Event of high standing.
This affirms that our Apprenticeship Scheme can hold it head high when compared to other Local Authority Schemes. Our young people have shown commitment and drive, and are as able as any in their field. I’d also like to thank Dumfries and Galloway College, where they all attend as part of their apprenticeships, for the high standards of training they provide, in addition to the Trade bodies who support them.”
All three of the Apprentices enjoyed the experience of taking part in the process and are looking forward, if they are nominated, to doing it again. To that end they have one eye on building their next portfolio, while keeping their profile high, both at work and in the classroom, for all the right reasons.
