Pleased as punch: plumbing apprentices pick up industry awards

Plumbing apprentices from Edinburgh College proved they have bright careers in the pipeline by winning prizes at the trade’s professional body annual awards.

Four apprentices received awards from the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) for excellent performance in college and the workplace. The students are each completing four-year modern apprenticeships with the college’s Construction department.

SNIPEF’s Edinburgh and District Branch gave awards to the best student in each of the first three years of the modern apprenticeship, and to the best improved apprentice. The event celebrated the achievements of apprentices from Edinburgh, Borders and Forth Valley colleges.

The awards for Edinburgh College apprentices were:

• Best 1st Year apprentice        Kyle Rodger, T Clarke
• Best 2nd Year apprentice       James Redpath, JSB
• Best 3rd Year apprentice        Rory Watt, H&C Mechanical Services Ltd
• Best Improved apprentice      Graeme McKenzie, CHC Group Ltd

Rory Watt was also runner up for the David More Trophy, which is awarded to the best over-all apprentice in the region and went to Martyn Smith from Forth Valley College.

Andrew Golightly, decorating, plastering and plumbing lecturer at Edinburgh College, said: “These apprentices represent the best we have at the college. They have proven to be excellent in their training, shown their commitment and become great plumbers and we are delighted that they are being recognised for that by SNIPEF Edinburgh and District Branch.

“Two of the award winners originally came to the college to complete a pre-apprenticeship course, and their awards tonight prove their commitment to learning and hard work.”

The 19 week pre-apprenticeship course provides a grounding in basic installation and servicing principles, an insight into the working environment, and a head start on the competition when applying for fulltime modern apprenticeship schemes. Plumbing students at Edinburgh College are able to use state of the art training facilities at the college’s Granton and Midlothian campuses to learn the essential skills they need to progress in the workplace.

The awards ceremony took place at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus training restaurant, The Apprentice, with catering provided by professional cookery students.

PICTURE: Standing: Lecturer Andrew Golightly, Head of Construction John Laing, apprentices Kyle Rodger and Rory Watt, and curriculum manager Juliet Harkin. Front row:  apprentices James Redpath and Graeme McKenzie.