Two local apprentices and students of the North Highland College UHI have won awards at the National Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) competition.
Graeme Robert Gray (22) and Murray Mackintosh (20) broke records earlier this year when they won both the first and second stage categories for the North of Scotland - the first time in the history of the competition that a single college has won both awards.
The two apprentices competed in the finals for the overall SECTT Apprentice of the Year for Scotland with four other apprentices who were winners from the first three heats.
Graeme, an apprentice for G Anderson Electrical Ltd is in his first year of the course and took home the gold medal for the first stage Apprentice of the Year for Scotland.
Murray, an apprentice at MLG Electrical Contractor is a second year student and won the silver medal for the second stage Apprentice of the Year for Scotland. In addition Makita generously donated drills to all the finalists.
The six finalists took part in the final on Wednesday 24th September 2014 and were interviewed by a panel comprising of Fiona Harper, Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Alick Smith, SELECT Past President and Scott Foley, SECTT Trustee, Unite the Union and Member of the SJIB National Board.
In line with competence based assessment in the Electrical SVQ, SECTT continue to promote training and excellence in the Electrical Contracting industry by organising Apprentice of the Year competitions for both 1st and 2nd Stage apprentices. The finalists had already been through a rigorous assessment of both practical skills and theoretical knowledge in each of their area competitions.
Graeme is currently studying SVQ Level 3 Electrical Installation (year one) and Murray is also studying the same qualification but has just completed year two. The course is three years in length and combines online study and practical work and is fully backed by the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust. The course which is designed for apprentices is attended on a block release basis, allowing candidates to gain a broad based experience in electrical installation.
PHOTO
Left to right: Mike Cormie (Makita), Murray Mackintosh, Steven Harper, Scott Mason, Bobby Collingwood, Graeme Gray, Tom Baty and Anne Galbraith (Chief Executive of SECTT)
