Scaffolding Apprentices Success In NCC Awards

NASC member scaffolding apprentices from across the UK have been recognised in the recent National Construction College (NCC) Scaffolding Apprenticeship Awards – with over 50% (13 of 24) of the 1^st and 2^nd year nominees across the whole of the UK.

NASC apprentices did particularly well north of the Border at NCC Scotland – with 83% (five from six) of the nomination places going to NASC apprentices: Maritime Scaffolding of Aberdeen had two of their employees – Kyle Norwood and Richard Moir – receiving runner-up prizes in the 1^st Year Scaffolding Apprentice category. And Aaron Tracey (Interserve Industrial Services) and George Thomson (Cape Industrial Services) also both received Year Two Runner Up prizes.

Struan Cunningham of MJD & Sons Scaffolding deserves particular praise after following 2012’s 1^st Year Scaffolding Apprentice award by taking the Year Two award this year. He was also nominated and only narrowly missed out on NCC Scotland Apprentice of the Year, which is open to all of the trades across the college.

Commenting on Mr Cunningham’s success, Michael Dore Contracts Director at MJD & Sons Scaffolding said: “I was delighted to be present as Struan picked up his award for the second successive year. The award was well deserved and an honour for the company.

“It proves that by taking on and training your own people you can survive and prosper in these current difficult times and at the same time give new people an opportunity in the industry. We have taken on many apprentices over the years and have had many success stories.

Given the support the NASC provides to these events it was nice that a member company won the award for the second year running.”

Additionally, NASC member apprentices Billy Baldry (Seabro Ltd) and Marc Whitestone of JW Scaffolding claimed the top spot in the Year One Scaffolding Apprentice category at NCC London and South and NCC East respectively. And James Wade (JW Scaffolding) lost out to his fellow employee for the Year One prize – but did claim the Runner Up spot at NCC East.

Other NASC member apprentices performed outstandingly well across the whole of the UK – receiving nominations and runner-up prizes for their regional awards, including:

• NCC London and South:

Year One Runner-up: Mark Finch (Alltask Scaffolding Ltd)
Year Two Runner-up: Kamil Wlodarcyzk (Trad Scaffolding Ltd)
Year Two Runner-up: Marlon Jeffries (Harsco Infrastructure)

• NCC Midlands

Year Two: Runner-up: Daniel Northall (Safeway Scaffolding)
Year Two Runner-up: Shawn Miller (Oxford Spires Scaffolding)

Dave Mosley, NASC Director of Training said: “It’s superb to see NASC apprentices continuing to shine at the latest NCC Apprentice awards. The award ceremonies are always an excellent day out for the apprentices, their families and employers and provide the opportunity for the apprentices to get the recognition they deserve. NASC is a great supporter of the apprenticeship scheme and believes it is an excellent way of maintaining a young and highly skilled scaffolding workforce. We have sponsored the NCC awards for many years, so it is always very pleasing to see scaffolders employed within the membership receiving nominations and winning awards, well done to all concerned. Keep up the good work!”

Speakers at this year’s NCC events were John Hartson (ex-Celtic, Arsenal, West Ham footballer) at NCC Scotland and Colin Jackson (Olympic Hurdler and former 110 metres World Record holder) in all the other regions.

Source: NASC Press Release