Sean Melville from Inverness has been named Scotland’s top Civil Engineering Apprentice of 2014 at an annual awards ceremony.
The title was presented to Mr Melville, 20, at the Scottish Building Apprenticeship & Training Council (SBATC) Apprenticeship at the Scottish Parliament.
Employed by construction services firm Morgan Sindall, Mr Melville has already successfully completed an HNC in civil engineering and achieved an SVQ 3 in site technical support in just two years rather than the three year period normally taken to complete this qualification.
He is now being supported by his employer to undertake a degree in civil engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Having started his apprenticeship in September 2012, Mr Melville initially worked on the first phase of the new University of the Highlands and Islands campus before moving on to work on the River Ness flood alleviation project.
Mr Melville was nominated for the award by the Construction Industry Training Board and was praised for his passion and enthusiasm for his job as well as his excellent practical skills.
Now in their 15th year, the awards recognise the talents, skills and abilities of construction apprentices working across Scotland. The awards assess candidates according to their practical and academic ability alongside other important skills such as organisation, communication and the ability to perform in a team.
Established in 1934 to regulate the working conditions, wages, recruitment and training of apprenticeships within the Scottish construction industry, the SBATC is also celebrating its 80th birthday this year.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mr Melville said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic to have won. Glad to be appreciated in a job that I really enjoy doing. I’m very proud.”
Alan Watt, Chief Executive of award sponsors the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) in Scotland, said: “It’s testament to Sean’s ability that he’s already recognised as a role model for other young people considering a career in civil engineering.
“It also speaks volumes that his employer, Morgan Sindall, no longer thinks of him as an apprentice but considers him to be a capable technician in his own right and an integral member of their team.”
SBATC Chairman Gavin Hay said: “The 2014 SBATC Apprentice of the Year Awards have been the highlight of our 80th year celebrations. With so many excellent candidates nominated, it’s an opportunity to pay tribute to the outstanding talents of apprentices working throughout the Scottish construction sector.”
Event host and Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Construction, Nigel Don MSP, said: “Once again, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to host this year’s SBATC Apprenticeship Awards here at the Scottish Parliament.
“Retaining skills in the construction sector remains an important challenge. That is why these awards are so important because they recognise and celebrate the outstanding craft skills of young apprentices who have chosen to pursue a career in the Scottish building industry. I’d also like to wish SBATC a very happy 80th birthday – long may its work continue as a champion of Scotland’s many thousands of construction apprentices.”