Construction employers have until 23rd October to submit nominations for the 2015 SBATC Apprenticeship Awards, incorporating the James Birnie Award for Craft Excellence.

Now in their 16th year, the SBATC Apprenticeship Awards are organised by the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) which is responsible for regulating the working conditions, wages, recruitment and training of apprentices within the Scottish construction industry.

The SBATC Apprenticeship Awards are unique in recognising excellence across all of the traditional building trades in Scotland. Candidates are assessed according to their practical and academic ability alongside other important skills such as organisation, communication and the ability to perform in a team.

The Awards incorporate four specific award categories, namely:

The winners of the 2015 Awards will be announced at a special ceremony at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 8th December.

Since being named 2014 SBATC Apprentice of the Year, carpenter and joiner Shaun Kennedy from Glasgow has successfully completed a four-year apprenticeship with house builder Mactaggart & Mickel. Shaun is now working full-time for the company and is also undertaking a Higher National Certificate in Construction Management.

Shaun Kennedy said: “It was such a great feeling to win the James Birnie Award last year. I’ve won other awards as an apprentice but James Birnie was probably the one I’m most proud of. It’s a real privilege to have won up against so many other skilled apprentices from all of the trades. Since winning, I’ve finished my apprenticeship and I’m now a full-time tradesman with Mactaggart & Mickel which I’m really enjoying. I’m still really keen to learn new skills which is why I decided to do the HNC in Construction Management as well.”

SBATC chairman Gavin Hay added: “The SBATC Apprenticeship Awards are a unique opportunity to celebrate excellence in the traditional craft trades. I would encourage employers to think about your own apprentices and particularly those who have gone the extra mile to excel at their chosen trade. Nominating them for these Awards is a great way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication and hopefully to spur them on to even bigger and better things in the future.”