CABLEtalk

Six talented young electricians will vie for a place at the finals of the SJIB/Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Competition in October 2016.  The contestants have been picked from the very best entrants across Scotland and go forward to 2nd stage interviews on Tuesday, 9 August 2016.

 

EAST      Kieron McKinlay –  employed by Arthur McKay & Co Ltd

               John Espie –employed by Kilbean Electrical Company Ltd

 

WEST     Dennis Sweenie – employed by Paul Hickey Electrical

               Shane Steenson – employed by Dumfries & Galloway Council

 

NORTH   Euan Swan – employed by JAR Electrical Services

                Connor MacDonald – employed by G & A Barnie Building Services Ltd

 

Each contestant has worked extremely hard to make it through to the 2nd stage of the competition.  From the 650 FICAs (Final Integrated Competence Assessment) taken in 2015 - 18 outstanding contestants in the East, West and North regions were identified.  Following 1st stage interview, the 18 have been whittled down to six contestants for the 2nd stage interviews.

 

The final judging panel will be Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, Gary Mason, Scottish Regional Director Edmundson Electrical Ltd, Scott Foley, Regional Officer for Unite the Union.

 

The judging panel will select three finalists who will be invited to the SELECT Industry Awards in October along with their employers, family and friends.

 

Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “Each year we search the country to find the finest young electricians coming into the industry. This year we have, once again, found six exemplary contestants who approach their work with passion, enthusiasm, dedication and, above all, commitment to the job.  And, most importantly, they each have the practical and professional attributes that will see them go far in the industry.  I would like to congratulate them on reaching the 2nd stage interviews and wish each and every one of them very best of luck."

 

Scott Foley, Unite Regional Officer, added: “As the main Construction Trade Union and, principally, the union which represents professional Electricians across the UK, it is vital that all parties continue to invest in our young people, providing them with excellent training and secure employment, and thereby securing the industry’s future.  The SJIB Apprentice Training Scheme is a prime example of how Trade Unions and Employers, working together, can develop an industry based, class leading training program that invests in young people and takes them, from the classroom to the workplace, equipping them along the way with a valuable skill-set to take them into the future."

​

​