A Scottish apprentice and employer are celebrating winning at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Managing Agency Apprentice Awards.

Moray based Darroch & Allan Joiners & Builders won the award for SME Employer of the Year. The firm is due to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016 and currently employs 11 apprentices.

Andrew Fordyce, managing director at Darroch & Allan, said: “To win this award is a real accolade and validation for our entire team. Everyone from our management and administration teams, to our tradespeople who take the time to train, support and mentor each apprentice, and of course the apprentices themselves, who are the new blood of any forward thinking business, deserve this recognition.

“I left school at 16 and served my 4 year apprenticeship with Darroch & Allan, never thinking that one day l would be the Managing Director of an award winning company. It proves that there are real opportunities in this industry and there is no better time to consider construction as a career.”

The Scotland Apprentice of the Year Award was presented to Connor Crawford, who carried out a stonemasonry apprenticeship with Historic Scotland.

After receiving his award, Connor said: “I feel honoured to receive this award. Being nominated was great, but to win feels fantastic! My apprenticeship has taught me so much and has given me a real confidence boost. The opportunity to train whilst also earning a wage makes a real difference and I’d encourage anyone thinking about an apprenticeship to give it a go. I would like to thank everyone at CITB, Historic Scotland and Elgin Conservation Centre for all they have done for me.”

The CITB Managing Agency Apprentice Awards celebrate the achievements of CITB apprentices, and the employers supporting CITB in providing them. The awards were presented by CITB Chief Executive Adrian Belton and hosted by TV presenter Helen Skelton at Plaisterers Hall in London on 8 October.

CITB is the largest provider of construction apprenticeships in the UK, giving thousands of young people every year the opportunity to enter the construction industry, whilst allowing employers to grow their businesses.