A 19-year-old carpentry and joinery apprentice from Glasgow has been named this year’s SBATC Apprentice of the Year, receiving the coveted James Birnie award for Craft Excellence at a special ceremony at the Scottish Parliament.

Shaun Kennedy was nominated for the award by his employer Mactaggart & Mickel in recognition of his natural enthusiasm for the job and the outstanding quality of his work.

Currently in the final year of a four-year apprenticeship with MacTaggart & Mickel, Shaun was also praised by his employer for his excellent organisational skills and ability to plan ahead and is considered a role model both as an employee and as a student.

Now in their 15th year, the SBATC Apprenticeship Awards are organised by the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) to recognise the considerable talents, skills and abilities of construction apprentices working across Scotland. The Awards assess candidates according to their practical and academic ability alongside other important skills such as organisation, communication and the ability to perform in a team.

Established in 1934 to regulate the working conditions, wages, recruitment and training of apprenticeships within the Scottish construction industry, SBATC is also celebrating its 80thbirthday this year.

The awards ceremony included presentations for three other award categories. Sean Melville, an apprentice technician from Inverness who works for Morgan Sindall, received the 2014 Civil Engineering Apprentice of the Year award. Daniel Deavy, an apprentice roof slater and tiler with A. Menzies and Sons in Glasgow was named Adult Apprentice of the Year. Meanwhile, Dunblane-based built-up felt roofing apprentice Craig McVeagh, who works for family firm Permatop Roofing, received the 2014 Construction Specialist apprentice award.

Speaking on behalf of main award winner Shaun Kennedy’s employer, Mactaggart & Mickel HR director Marion Forbes said: “We’re delighted for Shaun that he’s won this prestigious award. He is an outstanding individual overall and has excelled throughout his apprenticeship. He clearly loves his job and takes genuine pride in his craft. When Shaun is set a task, there’s always confidence that he’ll complete it to the highest standard.”

SBATC chairman Gavin Hay said: “The 2014 SBATC Apprentice of the Year Awards have been the highlight of our 80th year celebrations. With so many excellent candidates nominated, it’s an opportunity to pay tribute to the outstanding talents of apprentices working throughout the Scottish construction sector. My personal congratulations go out to all of our winners and I wish them the very best for a long and rewarding career in Scottish construction.”

Event host and convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Construction, Nigel Don MSP, said: “Once again, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to host this year’s SBATC Apprenticeship Awards here at the Scottish Parliament. I’ve been truly impressed by the calibre of this year’s winners. Retaining skills in the construction sector remains an important challenge. That is why these awards are so important because they recognise and celebrate the outstanding craft skills of young apprentices who have chosen to pursue a career in the Scottish building industry. I’d also like to wish SBATC a very happy 80th birthday – long may its work continue as a champion of Scotland’s many thousands of construction apprentices.”