2009 MA Awards

A 35-year-old Falkirk man was named as the country's top apprentice at Skills Development Scotland's Modern Apprenticeship Awards.

Jason Hunter won the Traditional Sector Over 20 category and went on to compete against 11 other finalists from all over Scotland before taking the 'Apprentice of the Year' title at the event.

For a couple of years after leaving school Jason, trained to be a mechanic with two local businesses, but they both closed down.

He joined facilities management company Johnson Controls as maintenance assistance where operations manager Alex Eastwood recognised his potential. He encouraged Jason to sign up for a Modern Apprenticeship at Dunfermline's Carnegie College.

Modern Apprenticeships offer those aged over 16 paid employment combined with the opportunity to train for jobs at craft, technician and management level. Apprentices work alongside experienced staff to gain job specific skills as well as training, perhaps one day a week, with local providers such as colleges.

Education Secretary, Michael Russell MSP, who attended the event and met many of the finalists, said, "We need to ensure our young people have the right skills to enable them to grow as individuals and to help our economy to grow and recover from these difficult economic times.

"The Modern Apprentice programme is a key part of that - providing training to help us build and maintain the infrastructure needed to develop a skilled workforce. The Scottish Government, through Skills Development Scotland, has continued to invest in the programme this year which will ensure that our workforce is fully and appropriately equipped when economic conditions improve.

"I want to congratulate all those who received awards and also their employers and training providers who are working hard to support them in building their future careers."

Jason began his foundation training in March 2006 but his lack of numeracy skills almost stopped him in his tracks. Jason persevered and enrolled for additional maths classes which helped him achieve the National Certificate.

Since then, Jason has pursued other industry-related qualifications including the HNC in Electrical Engineering.

Jason said, "I want to do more training, get more experience and make a career."

The other winners on the night were:

 *  Electrical installation apprentice Richard Sagar from Langholm
     who scooped the traditional aged 16-19 category prize. He is no
     stranger to awards having won the gold medal in electrical
     installation at the WorldSkills tournament in Calgary,
     Canada, earlier this year;

 *  Beauty therapist Amanda Mainland, from Orkney, won the
     non-traditional aged 16-19 category prize;

 *  Human Resource worker Carolyn Donnelly, from East Kilbride,
      won the non-traditional aged 20 or over category prize;

 *  The Buccleuch Arms Hotel in Moffat took the Small Employers
     prize. The hotel, which has built a reputation for excellent
     customer service, was rewarded for its commitment to training;

 *  ACE Winches took the Medium Employers prize. The
     Aberdeenshire company, which is a global leader in the design
     and manufacture of bespoke hydraulic winches and marine
     deck machinery, has 21 Modern Apprentices currently in
     training;

 *  Energy firm Scottish Gas was named as the country's top large
     employer. The organisation's £1.2 million purpose built Energy
     Academy, which was opened earlier this year by First Minister
     Alex Salmond, took the large employers prize;

 *  Engineering giants Rolls-Royce and Anniesland College took the
     partnership award;

 *  Glasgow's GTG Training took the learning provider award;

 *  Portlethen-based OPITO, an Oil and Gas Academy, took the
     Community Challenge award. They created an information board
     for their local community which is tough enough to withstand
     the elements from the North Sea.


Jason Hunter