| Peterhead apprentices take top awards |
Two Peterhead engineering apprentices have taken top prizes in a national craft competition.
From left to right
Sam Jernslett (18) won and Samantha Buchan (17) was placed third in the National Apprentice Competition 2009. Sam won £500 and Samantha £200 as well as being presented with their awards by Gordon McGuinness, Head of Industry & Enterprise Networks, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) at the presentation ceremony held in Scottish Engineering's headquarters in Glasgow. Sam, from Peterhead, is a first year apprentice with Wood Group Pressure Control Ltd in Aberdeen and has completed his first year training with Banff & Buchan College. Samantha from Fetterangus works with Score Europe Ltd also in Aberdeen and completed her first year training with Peterhead and District Training Group. Second place was won by Ryan Todd (18) of Aberdeen who won £300 and is employed by Subsea7 Ltd of Aberdeen. Ryan has completed his first year training with Banff & Buchan College. In his keynote speech Gordon McGuinness explained that SDS was still a relatively new operation. He praised the contribution that engineering makes to the Scottish economy and pointed out that because of the ageing workforce in engineering there was a need to improve the skills of the present workforce and accelerate the modern apprenticeship scheme. He emphasised that the SDS offered their congratulations and encouragement to all of the apprentices who had participated in the competition. Introducing the event, Dr Peter Hughes, Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering, the support group for the industry in Scotland said: "I am delighted to see these young apprentices taking the first steps on their career ladder. A large number of high quality apprentices is vital to the future of our industry." The nationwide contest is sponsored by EMTA Awards Limited (EAL), Scottish Engineering and IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
|