The Scottish Building and Apprenticeship Training Council (SBATC) has officially launched its search for Scotland’s Craft Apprentice of the Year 2011.

Now in its twelfth year, the James Birnie Craft Apprentice of the Year Awards scheme is unique in recognising the talents of Scottish construction apprentices working in the traditional craft trades such as joinery, plastering and bricklaying. The scheme recognises winners in two distinct categories: Apprentice of the Year and Adult Apprentice of the Year.

The deadline for nominations for this year’s awards is the 30th September and the awards ceremony is due to take place in November. The scheme was the brainchild of James Birnie, a former President of the Scottish Building Federation, who was awarded an MBE in 1999 in recognition of his services to working conditions for the construction industry as a whole.

Since winning the award last year, reining Scottish Craft Apprentice of the Year Ronnie Morrison of Montrose-based Pert Bruce Construction has seen his career in the construction industry go from strength to strength.


Ronnie said: “Since winning the James Birnie Apprentice of the Year award late last year, I have successfully completed my apprenticeship and have taken on responsibility for one of Pert Bruce’s bricklaying squads. I’m currently working on the refurbishment of a shooting lodge at Strathdon in Aberdeenshire.

“Winning the award has really boosted my confidence as a craftsman. It also gave me the opportunity to represent Scotland at the Master Builder of the Year Awards in London. It’s been a real honour to have my skills recognised by winning such a prestigious award.”

SBATC Employers’ Secretary and Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Federation Michael Levack has urged building employers to nominate the brightest and best of their young talent to be considered as a potential winner of this year’s award.

Michael Levack said: “Our industry has experienced tough times recently. But the longer term outlook is good, provided we have the skills and capacity in place to deliver future growth. Building a successful future for the Scottish construction sector depends on encouraging young people into the industry and recognising their skills, talent and dedication through schemes such as the James Birnie Awards.

“I would encourage construction companies up and down the country to get involved in this year’s James Birnie Award scheme and to nominate any apprentice they feel demonstrates the skills and talent to be a deserving winner of the 2011 Apprentice of the Year or Adult Apprentice of the Year Awards.”

Any employer interested in nominating an apprentice for this year’s James Birnie Apprentice of the Year awards can download an application from the SBATC website: www.sbatc.co.uk

(GK)