John Laing, Edinburgh College’s head of the Institute of Construction and Building Crafts, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at an awards ceremony in London held by national industry organisation, The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers.

The 16th Annual Plaisterers’ Training Awards were held at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London, and attended by a wide cross-section of the plastering and dry-lining trade, training colleges, independent training providers, city livery companies with particular links to construction trades and other organisations actively involved in construction skills training.

Edinburgh College also received recognition from the prestigious industry organisation, also known as The Plaisterers’ Company, which obtained its first Royal Charter in 1501 and has supported skills and training in the plastering trade since the Middle Ages. The college was runner-up in the Sir Thomas Cup award, which is presented to colleges with smaller plastering departments that have achieved a top rating at delivering academic level 3 qualifications in plastering.

Mr Michael Jones, The Master of the Plaisterers’ Company said: “John Laing has dedicated much of his working life to developing, teaching and maintaining best practice in construction – particularly in traditional craft skills and in plastering.

“He has worked tirelessly to represent Edinburgh College and to promote the maintenance of traditional building crafts to the industry in Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally. He has represented his country widely, particularly at International Preservation Trade workshops, which are held across the United States. As a qualified skills assessor and verifier and as a member of World Skills UK he has helped to shape both the industry and the lives of countless students.”

John started his working life by undertaking a four-year plastering apprenticeship in 1977 at Kirkcaldy Council. He then spent 12 years as a plasterer before beginning his career in further education in 1989 when he started as a part-time lecturer at Fife College of Further Education. He joined Telford, one of the legacy colleges of Edinburgh College, in 1989 as a plastering lecturer.

John said: “I was really proud to be given this award by such a prestigious organisation. I am delighted that Edinburgh College was also recognised for its achievements in delivering plastering training by such a respected industry body. This is testament to the hard work by everyone on the team at the college. Construction skills are fundamental to the ongoing success of our economy and I will never tire of seeing the next generation gain confidence and pride in their chosen trade.”