Three of West Lothian Council’s apprentices were recognised at the recent APSE awards.
West Lothian Council currently has over 150 apprentice working across a range of disciplines.
The three finalists were Callum Sutherland (electrician), Jack McKeown (plumbing) and Hannah Cockburn (joiner).
APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK.
Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.
Due to the impact that covid has had on apprenticeships nationwide, APSE decided to have one category for the Overall Apprentice of the Year as opposed to various categories.
However, there was a massive number of entrants and competition was extremely high that they split the entrants into two categories, 1-2 year and 3-4 year.
All three entrants fell within the 3-4 year category and whilst they didn’t come first they were tied in second place.
The finalists were Callum Sutherland (electrician), Jack McKeown (plumbing) and Hannah Cockburn is from Linlithgow.
Executive councillor for services for the community, George Paul, visited the three apprentices at work to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
He said: “I’m always delighted to see West Lothian Council’s apprentices recognised by APSE as it is a big deal within the industry but for all three to go through to the finals, then achieving joint 2nd place, is amazing.
“It’s tough competition and I’d like to congratulate all three on this achievement.”
Interim head of housing, customer and building services Julie Whitelaw added: “It’s very well deserved and we couldn’t be more proud of Jack, Hannah and Callum. I’d also like to highlight the work of their colleagues within the service who have provided our apprentices with advice and training throughout.
"That role is such an important element to any training and it’s important to recognise their role in the development of our apprentices.”
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