Putting their skills to the test over a two-day competition, 20 apprentices from across the UK went head-to-head to find the industry’s most promising rising talent. Showcasing hands-on roofing skills, an ability to work well within a team, as well as demonstrating marketing and business acumen, Euan claimed the BMI Redland Apprentice of the Year award in the Pitched Roofing category. Euan also won a £1,000 cash prize and access to three years’ training through the BMI Academy.

Euan, an apprentice at Mithril Roofing who is studying at Fife College, said: “To have won is a big surprise and it’s an amazing feeling. The competition has really pushed us all and I feel like I’ve progressed so much just in the last couple of days. I’m really happy to have been recognised and to take home the top prize.”

Hosted by BMI, the BMI Apprentice of the Year competition celebrates the rising stars of the roofing industry in the UK. Finalists put their skills to the test through a series of challenges and are judged by a panel of industry experts.

This year’s competition had the theme of ‘Skills for Life’, reflecting the importance of apprenticeships in equipping young people with the opportunity to learn practical skills which enhance their careers.

“The standard in this year’s final was absolutely phenomenal and everybody on the judging panel was blown away by the dedication and enthusiasm the apprentices showed for their craft,” said Simon Dixon, technical training manager of the BMI Academy. “Euan impressed the judges throughout the competition. We’re looking forward to welcoming him back to the academy to help him enhance his roofing skills even further, and are really excited to see where his career goes from here.”

Aiden McKenna and Thomas Hollywood, directors at Mithril Roofing, said: “We’re so proud of Euan and seeing him named as Apprentice of the Year is an incredible achievement. He’s always been a really hard worker and is willing to get stuck into every job, putting his skills to the test and learning new ones. He’s got a great future ahead of him and we’ll be supporting him every step of the way.”

The annual BMI Apprentice of the Year competition provides an opportunity for roofing apprentices to put their skills to the test alongside dozens of the industry’s most promising new entrants. The winners were chosen by a panel of expert judges, including Robert Coutts, a World Skills Mentor; Kay Triana Rose of the Institute of Roofing; Matthew Downs, Editor of Total Contractor magazine; and Matt Timby of Timby Traditional Roofing.