Dounreay Apprentices Receive Their Certificates

25th September 2007

This year's Dounreay Apprentices Indenture ceremony took place on 21 September in the Pentland Hotel. Ten apprentices, from UKAEA and Johnson Controls, received their certificates from John Thurso MP, the guest speaker.

"I am very pleased to share in this celebration of your success," he told the apprentices. "You have all earned your certificates.

"For some of you this will be the start of a career in the decommissioning industry. Some of you will go to other jobs and some to further education. Skill is absolutely vital for the global modern community in which we live today. Our community is going through a period of great change. I believe that we have the ability to create a prosperous future for us all. But it will only happen through people with skill. You are part of the engine that will drive us forward to a bright and prosperous future."

UKAEA apprentice manager Jim Swan, gave a brief amusing resume of each apprentice as they received their certificate. There were also two new awards this year, the Lachie Macmillan Memorial Trophy for Most Improved Apprentice, and the Dounreay Director's Trophy for the Best Overall Apprentice.

The Lachie Macmillan Memorial Trophy was presented to fourth year apprentice Neil Brims by Mr and Mrs Macmillan. The Dounreay Director's Trophy was awarded to third year apprentice Mark Mackay by Dounreay's decommissioning manager Brad Smith.

The apprentices also donated a cheque for £500 to the Lachie Macmillan Memorial Fund, which they had raised through their annual sponsored walk. The Memorial Fund is raising money to buy a Transport Monitor for the ICU at Raigmore Hospital.

Photo
back row from left - Michael, McGettigan, Kevin Macleod, David
McArthur, Paul Arrowsmith, Graeme Cormack, Kevin Hamilton; front from left
- Michael Henderson, Lee Rainford, John Thurso MP, David Miller, James
Sinclair.