Scott Ahern, from East Kilbride, managed to see off an exceptional field of emerging electrical talent to lift the 2024 trophy after impressing the SJIB panel of judges.

SJIB chair Jock Simpson also presented the 27-year-old with a voucher for £1,000 at the awards ceremony in the Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood last week, at which Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon was the guest speaker.

Catherine Gillon, the recently-appointed secretary of the SJIB, said: “Apprentices are the great hope for the sector’s future and the SJIB Apprentice of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the very best of our new talent.

“At a time when more and more young people are choosing the electrical industry as a career, Scott has triumphed in an extremely close field after showing an unprecedented degree of commitment, dedication and enthusiasm.”

Catherine, who is also director of employment affairs at SELECT, Scotland’s largest construction trade body, added: “This accolade also recognises the contribution that Scott and his fellow apprentices will make in our transition to net zero and the electrification of society.

“As technology continues to advance and electrical installation becomes ever more complex, Scott and his peers will go forward as an elite band of professionals who will hold the smooth running of the future in their hands.”

Scott, who works for DRB UK Maintenance Ltd in Hamilton, completed his studies at New College Lanarkshire’s Motherwell Campus under the watchful eye of Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) Training Officer Gordon Penman.

He said: “My electrical apprenticeship has been very challenging but also extremely rewarding, so this award is the icing on the cake and makes all the hard work worthwhile.

“It was a huge surprise – but also a huge honour – to be selected from among my fellow apprentices, many of whom I know to be really talented professionals who have a great future in front of them.

“There is no doubt that I owe this award to the continuing support of my employers, lecturers and trainers who have been endlessly patient with me, and to everyone whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with and learn from in recent years.” 

Jason Boyle, electrical project manager at DRB UK, said: “Scott has worked long and hard over the course of his apprenticeship and very much deserves his place  in the spotlight.

“He is dedicated to his profession and is a perfect example of the quick, skilful and effective people we want to see coming into the industry and taking it forward into a new era.”

The competition also saw vouchers presented to finalists Jake Stewart, 22, from Dundee, who works for Monifieth-based Kevin Black Electrical Contractors, and Sean Bermingham, 33, from Strathpeffer, who works for Inverness-based Ross-shire Engineering Ltd.

Jake carried out his studies at Dundee and Angus College, under SECTT Training Officer David Stebbings, while Sean completed his training at the University of the Highlands and Islands Inverness College under the watchful eye of SECTT Training Officer Graham Keil.

All three finalists were also presented with top-of-the-range Megger multi-function testers by Stuart Minty, Regional Key Account Manager at Edmundson Electrical.

Derek Allen, Scottish regional director of Edmundson Electrical, said: “Scott and his fellow finalists have every reason to be proud of their achievements, which reflects the hard work and dedication demonstrated throughout their apprenticeships.

“Thanks should also go to the SJIB and SELECT for continuing to promote the ongoing importance of electrical apprenticeships, and the training officers from SECTT who help develop the talent of tomorrow on a day-to-day basis.”

Founded in 1969 by SELECT and Unite the Union, the SJIB’s duties include regulating between employers and employees, providing benefits for people engaged in the industry and stimulating industry progress. 

In addition, it has oversight of employment, skills and proficiency, health and safety competence, wages and welfare benefits across the electrical industry in Scotland.

Edmundson Electrical is an electrical wholesaler that serves Scotland from more than 37 locations. Its customer base includes electrical contractors and engineers, industrial companies, facilities management, government agencies and local authorities.