Apprentice of the year

• Individual nominated: Kadie Ferguson
• Organisation: Glen Oaks Housing Association

Statement of support

Kadie joined our team in January 2024 as a modern apprentice after leaving school, and she has quickly become a valued part of the organisation. Having grown up in Pollok, she brings a real understanding of the local community and the challenges many of our tenants face. This gives her a genuine connection to the work we do and to the people we support.

Since day one, Kadie has shown a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a natural ability to work with others. She has grown in confidence and ability with every passing week, and it has been a pleasure to see her development. Kadie shows a level of understanding and maturity well beyond her years. She listens, she cares, and she supports tenants with kindness and patience, while also being able to set clear expectations when needed. These are skills that can take years to develop, yet they come so naturally to her. 

Kadie is not afraid of change. During a recent organisational restructure, when things felt uncertain and challenging for many, she stayed positive and open-minded. What stood out most was her attitude, she saw the changes as an opportunity to grow, and showed a real willingness to learn. It was during this time that I saw how quickly she picks up new things, how engaged she is in the learning process, and how genuinely appreciative she is of the new skills and knowledge she gains.

What also makes Kadie stand out is her personality. She brings warmth and humour into the office, even on the most demanding days. Her quick wit and one liners lift the mood of everyone around her, and she has become someone that both colleagues and tenants naturally gravitate towards and trust.

Kadie has made a real and lasting impact in her short time with us. She represents the very best of what an apprentice can bring, and we believe she would be a worthy winner of this award.

Outcomes and achievements

• Passed SQA apprenticeship
• Promoted to customer service advisor in July 2025.

• Individual nominated: Calum Murray
• Organisation: North Lanarkshire Council

Statement of support

Calum’s journey with tenant participation:

In August 2024, straight from school, Calum joined North Lanarkshire Council as a business administration apprentice, with no prior knowledge of his placement. To the delight of the tenant participation (TP) team, he was assigned to us on a one-year contract, our first experience hosting a trainee. This was a learning opportunity not only for Calum but for our team; as TP is such a niche area, the only way to truly learn & embrace the ethos of TP is through active involvement.

Thrown in at the deep end, Calum’s first major task, just two weeks into the role was supporting the organisation of our prestigious annual NL in Bloom awards. He took charge of décor and entertainment, creating a garden-themed quiz that was well received by attendees.

Throughout his time with us, Calum has been a consistent source of support to our team, tenants, and over 40 tenant associations. TP is a dynamic and reactive environment, and Calum embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and professionalism.

Key contributions to TP activities:

• Facilitated tenant scrutiny meetings
• Supported sub-committee meetings (Land & Waste Management, NL Ambition & Roads & Street Lighting)- which at times could get heated
• Developed social media content
• Supported events including the Annual Tenants Conference, NL in Bloom, joint training sessions, Macmillan coffee morning, AGMs and public consultations
• Responded to elected member enquiries
• Assisted with tenant engagement and outreach
• Being very creative he helped groups by designing logos, flyers, poster
• Assisted with all administrative duties to assist all teams & tenants groups.

Recognising his potential and to help build his skills to progress his career in housing, we arranged for Calum to support wider teams across the service, resulting in a structured weekly schedule:

Cross-team support:

• Homes first team: Improved data systems for young homeless applications, handling sensitive information with discretion
• Locality office: Acted as first point of contact, managing reception and calls, often having to manage conflict and challenging situtations
• IT solutions: provided valuable support during the testing phase for the integration of new repair contracts within the broader housing & corporate Repairs framework; inputting data/jobs into HSMS using Schedule of Rates (SORs), aligning various compatible Core Job Types (CJTs) and prioritised tasks specific to each contract
• Property team: Shadowing technical officers, gaining insight into tenant queries and void management.

Calum quickly realised his passion for housing and actively sought opportunities to expand his knowledge. His mentors across departments consistently praised his attitude and performance.

While completing his SVQ in Business Administration, Calum successfully planned and delivered a Making Life Easier event in partnership with Health & Social Care, showcasing technology and support services to help tenants live independently.

He completed all NLC online learning modules and recently became the youngest participant to complete the Stepping Up to Scrutiny training, alongside staff and tenants.

The knowledge and experience he has gained allowed him to seek greater opportunities; although Calum should have been with the TP team for a year, when a permanent clerks position became available he was encouraged to apply and was successfully appointed to this position. In June (two months early) he started a brand-new role, whilst continuing his studies, which is a true testament to his drive/determination. 

Though we’re sad to see him leave the TP team, Calum is a tremendous asset to any team and is laying strong foundations for a successful career in housing.

Outcomes and achievements

Developing, planning and hosting his own Food for Thought session was a great achievement for not only Calum but our team; taking a multi-agency approach to support our tenants allowed for attendees to experience long-term benefits, as each person was followed up with 1:1 bespoke support e.g. Social Work/Occupational Therapy referrals.

Evaluations showed that 100 per cent scored the session either Very Good or Good (99 per cent VG).

Although he has progressed to another team, he has left a lasting impression with cross departments stating:

• “Calum was an asset to our team, helpful as well as knowledgeable he has a polite manner and learns quickly he never disappoints a pleasure to work with.” Jackie Welsh, housing coordinator, Homes First.

He impressed the chair of North Lanarkshire Federation of Tenants & Residents (NLF) that he was asked to accompany them to the annual provost awards “Calum’s passion hard-work & determination should be recognised, by attending this event we as a committee hope this continues to inspire him.” Jim Leonard, NLF chair.

• “Calum was a great asset to our team and is sorely missed, as our project is time-sensitive he was instrumental in helping us meet critical deadlines.” Jane Brentnall, housing systems manager, IT solutions.

• Individual nominated: Andrew Cairns
• Organisation: Stirling Council

Statement of support

Andrew Cairns commenced his joinery and carpentry modern apprenticeship at Stirling Council in August 2024. Andrew is currently in his second year at Forth Valley College which he attends two days each week and his college reports are exceptional with all coursework being completed to a high standard. 

From a young age Andrew had a keen interest in carpentry and found he excelled with hands on learning therefore Andrew pursued a modern apprenticeship in joinery and is excelling in his training. Andrew has fully immersed himself in his modern apprenticeship and is impressing his supervisors and tradespersons with his keen and eager to learn approach which are developing his skills quickly. 

Andrew is currently based within our capital team which focus on improvement across our housing stock from renewing kitchens and bathrooms, undertaking adaptations such as installing wet floor shower rooms which allow tenants to remain within their own home to assisting with roofing upgrades such as replacing fascia and soffit boards. These works can cause disruption and concern for a tenant and Andrew is very good at acknowledging this and has developed his customer service skills to be able to communicate well with tenants, treating each tenant with kindness and respect in their own homes, explaining the works that are being undertaken, how the team propose to progress these and the duration of time for the works to be completed to assist in alleviating the tenant’s apprehension.

The capital team supervisor has found Andrew to be a great asset to their team. When Andrew initially commenced work, he was very quiet but keen to learn, he would take direction when required, listened and learned intently when being shown how to undertake joinery tasks. A year on Andrew has become an integral member of the team, communicating exceptionally well, being confident and competent in his manner with the quality of his workmanship being undeniably flawless and this is to his credit of learning and mastering his craftmanship in Joinery with the support from his team. 

Andrew is very dedicated to his apprenticeship and has 100 per cent attendance record. His tradespersons acknowledge his skills, desire and willingness to complete works to a high standard and on time will use his initiative to undertake tasks himself with guidance rather than direction. This allows the capital works projects to run smoothly and ahead of time which creates more scope for Andrew and his tradesperson to assist the wider joinery team. 

The capital team are very proud to support such a conscientious, kind and hardworking young man who thrives to learn and perfect his trade. 

One particular project that Andrew enjoyed was being part of the team which had to undertake the full renovation of a property which had been affected by woodworm. Andrew was involved on this job from the beginning, stripping it out, replacing and repairing the structure and finishes through to handing it back to the management team. Andrew consistently works really hard, putting maximum effort in to all his work and is able to efficiently demonstrate the skills and experience he has developed from installing skirting, facing and doors to the more intricate installation of ironmongery. Andrew consistently shows the right attitude to be successful during his entire apprenticeship.

Outcomes and achievements

During his first year at college, Andrew built a full stud partition (1st and 2nd fix), this was built from drawings to full completion and included an entry door with letter plate, night latch and door handle. Andrew completed all coursework before submission deadlines and has been commended on achieving a very high professional standard of work at college. 

Andrew also proves his commitment to his training through his submission of work diaries and record of work experience evidence sheets. As part of Stirling Council’s apprenticeship training programme, each apprentice is asked to submit weekly diaries and two evidence sheets per month. Andrew continues to submit these timeously, fully detailing and recording the work experience gained and the learning outcomes he has achieved, this allows his work tasks to be tailored to ensure co-ordination with his college training. 

Andrew has dyslexia and understands the challenges this can present, he appreciates some people have learning difficulties and realises that people learn differently and work at varying pace therefore during his time at college Andrew also assisted in helping fellow students who were running behind. Andrew takes pride in his achievement and thrives in a team where everyone is working their best. 

• Individual nominated: Rebecca Mason
• Organisation: Stirling Council

Statement of support

Rebecca Mason commenced her joinery and carpentry modern apprenticeship at Stirling Council in August 2023. Rebecca is currently progressing to third year and has been successful in gaining a place on the Advanced Craft Course at Forth Valley College commencing in August. 

Rebecca is currently based within our voids team which focus on improvements to empty properties, ensuring these meet necessary standards before they are allocated to new tenants. As an apprentice joiner within the team, Rebecca carries out a wide range of duties, such as installing new kitchens, replacing floors, fitting wet wall in bathrooms, fitting new internal doors and ironmongery as well as completing relevant job records. 

This year Rebecca was also afforded the opportunity to be part of the team which were building an extension to adapt an existing house to provide wheelchair accommodation. Rebecca excelled at this and was instrumental in the manufacture and install of the structural timber frame kits and roof trusses to form a ground floor accessible bedroom with wet room bathroom. The existing property also required internal works to allow full wheelchair access through the ground floor and Rebecca installed a new kitchen with wheelchair accessible worksurfaces as well as assisting with widening existing door frames, all of which had to meet the requirements of and be approved by Building Standards.

Upon successful completion of the project the property was let to the tenant and Rebecca was asked to attend to fit grab rails for the tenant. Rebecca was able to see first-hand the benefits her hard work had made in providing an accessible home for the tenant and was able to ensure the positioning of the grab-rails met the tenants full requirements. 

Rebecca consistently shows commitment to her personal development by asking questions and showing willingness to learn and absorb more, exceeding expectations and setting good standards on site for good time keeping, performance, health and safety awareness and ability to listen and learn. She is very respectful, showing appreciation to her tradesperson and peers for helping with her training. 

The voids team supervisors have found Rebecca to be a great asset to their team as she is keen to learn, punctual, dependable, polite and a great role model – basically what every employer is looking for in an employee. Rebecca constantly pushes the standards on site and works to provide a high quality finish with a clear goal in mind to achieve. 

The voids team find that Rebecca will quickly adapt to any tasks set, this has provided a wide variety of learning opportunities for her from standard door replacements and finishings such as skirtings, facings and stair installation to fitting full bathroom and kitchen installations as well as undertaking rot/damp work whilst working alongside her tradesperson. Rebecca has recently been involved in a project to convert existing flats for homeless accommodation which required all doors to be upgraded to fire doors to comply with Housing in Multiple Occupancy regulations. 

All of the above examples are clear evidence that since Rebbeca commenced her apprenticeship she has grown from a quiet and shy individual, not to mention the only female apprentice in her trade both at work and college, to working within full multi trades team and striving to deliver high standards each day in sometimes challenging environments. 

Outcomes and achievements

Rebecca was shortlisted as a finalist for Association of Public Excellence Apprentice of the Year Awards 2025, this involved submission of a portfolio of work experience then a panel interview. Rebecca was invited to attend the awards dinner where she was able to meet apprentice finalists from across the UK, exchanging experience and understanding the benefits of her training which she found to be very valuable. 

Rebecca also recently furthered her personal development by attending a careers event at Albert Halls in Stirling to talk with local high school pupils. This was to encourage young people to consider modern apprenticeships as a career route, advising on the benefits and experience undertaking an apprenticeship provides and future opportunities this can lead to. 

In addition, Rebecca attended an event at Fallin Primary School where she presented on her apprenticeship journey. This was completely out of her comfort zone however Rebecca came across as a young woman who is very passionate discussing how her apprenticeship has helped her grow and gain more confidence every day doing a job that she loves. 

We are very proud of Rebecca especially that she is able to represent Stirling Council in a positive and professional manner.

• Individual nominated: Nicholas Torkington
• Organisation: Stirling Council

Statement of support

Nicholas Torkington commenced as a modern apprentice electrician with Stirling Council in August 2023 straight from school with very little previous experience in electrical work. Nick’s inquisitive nature helped him quickly adapt to the working environment and by asking lots of questions he quickly acclimatised to his electrical training. Through school Nick had realised that he his ability to learn was best when he was able to work hands on and as such had decided that a trade apprenticeship was his best route to develop his career through the mixture of college and on the job training to develop his skills. 

Nick works within the electrical team within housing services and as such is able to gain a wide variety of experience including electrical installations, maintenance, inspection and testing across Stirling Council’s housing stock. Nick had shown great dedication to his learning and has developed a good understanding of electrical work which helps to improve his skills with each job he undertakes. In addition, Nick has developed good communication skills by working with a variety of people within the electrical team and within wider field of tradespeople as well as engaging with tenants. These opportunities have provided Nick with the understanding and importance of his role for both providing a good service to our tenants as well as working within a wider multi skilled trades team to safely maintain and improve the homes we provide. 

Nick has successfully completed his second year and is progressing with his training, he has taken on more responsibility, developing to completing work tasks independently with reduced supervision. Nick completes all tasks efficiently to a high standard. 

The electrical team have stated that they feel fortunate to have Nick as an apprentice and he has gone from strength to strength since commencing his apprenticeship. Nick showed dedication from the start of his apprenticeship as previously he was part of the Scotland U18’s rugby team but found this clashed with his training and as such made the decision to focus on gaining his apprenticeship as the priority. 

The team found Nick was quick to adapt to the working environment and tasks he was being set, he is pro active and asks lots of questions which has helped progress his skills and knowledge quickly and the wider team being amused that Nick’s favourite thing is asking another question! 

The electrical supervisor stated that he has watched as Nick has grown in confidence over the last two years and stated that Nick really shows his appreciation for the opportunity he has been afforded by Stirling Council investing in apprenticeships and the extent and variety of experience he has been able to gain at a young age. Nick has shown dedication through his work, his attendance as well as his timekeeping which are excellent and he is always willing to help the team if something goes wrong last minute even if it means working late. In addition Nick has excelled at college, his knowledge with various aspects of the subjects they teach being excellent for his level of training. 

During his training, Nick has shown resilience in handling challenging situations. For example, when working on maintenance and coming across circuits not working he goes through all the fault finding procedures until he finds the issue and cause. Once that is determined, it is time to rectify the problem and that's usually another challenge in itself. As always though Nicholas is keen to complete the job efficiently and to a high standard. 

Outcomes and achievements

Nick has established himself both within the electrical team and across the wider trade workforce, he excels in team environments working across multi trade tasks such as kitchen and bathroom replacements where works have to be completed neatly, efficiently and safely both for the tenant and follow on trades. 

Nick ensures he completes all work to the highest standard, he has developed his skills working across a wide variety of project including within tenanted homes, voids or external improvements works. These include:

• Kitchen and bathroom refurbishments
• Re-wiring homes
• Installing new heating systems 
• Compliance testing of single and three phase distribution boards
• Door entry systems
• External lighting systems. 

In addition to his college training Nick has undertaken various courses voluntarily such as:

• Aico Fire Alarm Install
• Solar Panel Installation. 

Nick continues to expand his knowledge and has great attitude and commitment, the additional skills he is developing are allowing him to expand his responsibilities including customer service to communicate with tenants explaining the tasks being undertaken such as the Electrical Installation Condition Report testing or Telecare Alarm installations and being able to do this is boosting his confidence and strengthening his professional aptitude. 

• Individual nominated: Daniel O'Brien
• Organisation: East Ayrshire Council housing services

Statement of support

As a modern apprentice, Daniel has been an integral part of the Cumnock and Doon Valley housing team, for the past 20 months. He has shown exceptional skills, dedication, and a commitment to continuous learning. During his two-year apprenticeship within the council, he has completed SVQF Business Administration Level 5 and is working towards Level 6. 

Though new to the sector at the beginning of his apprenticeship, Daniel has quickly established himself as a reliable and capable team member. His responsibilities have expanded over time, and he consistently demonstrates his initiative, commitment to professionalism and a passion to delivering excellent service to tenants and colleagues.

The apprenticeship has been a major stepping stone in Daniel’s personal and professional development. He has learned not only how to carry out key tasks but also how his work contributes to the wider strategic vision of the council and the impact on community wellbeing. Through practical training and formal learning, he has developed a wide range of new skills. These include communication and interpersonal skills, his digital ability, time management, data handling, and increasing knowledge of housing legislation and council policies. 

Daniel has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing essential business support to help deliver the council’s key strategic objectives. From the outset of his apprenticeship, Daniel has worked within a fast-paced team that directly supports tenants and residents, contributing to the delivery of high-quality housing services across the Housing team. His role involves a wide range of administrative and customer service duties, from records management and system administration to assisting the team with document processing, filing, and scheduling tasks. He is the first point of contact for customers and supports tenants with their tenancy enquiries, taking a measured and sympathetic approach to supporting vulnerable tenants, all of which have helped him gain an in-depth understanding of how a local authority’s housing function operates.

Daniel has been keen to accept opportunities to engage in professional development modules as part of his apprenticeship framework which have included health and safety, equality and diversity and GDPR awareness, all of which have deepened his appreciation of the responsibilities and ethical standards required in public service.

By volunteering to participate in community engagement initiatives across Cumnock and Doon Valley, he has contributed to improving service delivery and resident and tenant satisfaction. His attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile have positively impacted the team’s efficiency. 

He consistently demonstrates dedication to support the wider team, ensuring colleagues are fully prepared to manage the workload of the day and has established himself as the lead call handler for the housing service, managing the highest number of incoming calls and ensuring queries are handled promptly and efficiently. 

Daniel takes an active interest in learning from colleagues across departments and has gained a broad understanding of community services and supports. This has helped him think outside the box and understand how to make meaningful contributions as a young employee and as a local resident.

Daniel participates in team meetings, briefings, and training sessions, giving him understanding of how different departments collaborate to meet tenants needs and he is now looking forward to applying for permanent posts within the council and embarking on further qualifications in the future.

His manager Alexander comments:

• “I’ve had the pleasure of supervising Daniel during his apprenticeship and I can honestly say he has been a fantastic addition to the team. From the very beginning, Daniel has shown a great attitude and a real willingness to learn. He quickly picked up the day-to-day tasks, always making sure things were done accurately and on time. What stands out most is Daniel’s work ethic. He is always reliable, stays focused, and isn’t afraid to ask questions (even of our head of service at a team meeting) or take on something new. Daniel has driven his standards and learning by pushing the limits of a his apprenticeship by supplementing it with learning key functions and roles our neighbourhood team carries out.”

Outcomes and achievements

Daniel’s time as a modern apprentice within the Cumnock and Doon Valley housing team is incredibly rewarding and is a great asset within the team. 

He has also demonstrated a creative and forward-thinking mindset. He has made a significant, positive impact on our estate management processes by introducing innovative practices during on-site checks that have notably reduced administrative time. 

Alexander comments:

• “By developing and implementing a streamlined digital checklist system using mobile technology, Daniel has enabled real-time data entry and reporting directly from the site, eliminating the need for manual paperwork and double entry back at the office. This approach has not only improved accuracy and efficiency but also ensured quicker turnaround times for addressing issues and updating records. Daniel’s proactive mindset and fresh perspective have modernised our approach, making estate management more effective and less time-consuming across the team.”

Senior neighbourhood coach, Leanne Cardle comments:

• “Daniel brings a positive, can-do attitude to work every day. He approaches each task as an opportunity to learn, improve, or make a difference, no matter how small it may seem. I think he has grown significantly as a person and a professional, gaining practical skills, industry knowledge, and a deep appreciation for public service. In my opinion he has learned how housing plays a critical role in people’s lives and how vital it is to offer compassionate, efficient, and fair support to every resident.”

Reflecting on the ongoing mentorship and supervision from experienced professionals within the council and Daniel says:

• “Their guidance has been invaluable, providing me with insight into the real-life challenges faced by neighbourhood coaches and the tenants and residents we support. I’ve gained confidence in using internal systems to manage workflows and record customer interactions accurately. I thoroughly enjoy my role and all the learning.”

Finally, Alexander states:

• “Daniel has a passion for working in local government and making a difference in the community. I am proud of the work he has done so far, and I look forward to building on this foundation as he progresses his career.”

• Individual nominated: Amy Cooper
• Organisation: South Ayrshire Council

Statement of support

In November 2024, South Ayrshire Council’s employability and skills team undertook a rigorous recruitment process in search of South Ayrshire Council’s first ever housing modern apprentice. There were several very promising candidates but the one who shone through and became the successful candidate was Amy. Amy then started her modern apprenticeship with the housing strategy and regeneration team in December 2024. 

Since day one Amy has demonstrated a willingness and keenness to learn and to help support the team. Our team has very varied workstreams, predominantly strategic however growing operational as well and Amy is committed to assisting across them all. Amy carries her own workload along with supporting other officers within the team which allows her to upskill in areas that are not traditionally associated with housing. The housing strategy and regeneration team have been supporting Amy to gain experience across a wide range of services such as: housing grants, short-term lets, landlord registration, social letting, empty homes, housing policy, homelessness and prevention activities and tenant participation. Amy has quickly embraced the variety of functions that housing services covers and has also engaged in job shadowing opportunities with multiple teams including: property maintenance, housing management, housing options and support, housing operations and housing revenue, arrears and support. 

One area where Amy has excelled is in tenant participation, Amy engages really well with our involved tenants. She has quickly built very good relationships with involved tenants and is viewed by them as a very competent member of the team who is approachable and supportive. She has even made a star appearance within the tenants newsletter. 
 
Alongside supporting the team Amy has demonstrated great commitment to her own personal learning and developing her knowledge across housing strategy and regeneration workstreams and those cross-cutting services that enable housing to support our communities across South Ayrshire. 
 
Amy is currently completing her SVQ being delivered by SHARE and supported in her placement within the housing strategy and regeneration team, by South Ayrshire Council’s employability and skills team. Amy thrived with her SVQ, progressing well in a short timeframe, therefore SHARE provided further opportunities for Amy to undertake a Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 2 Certificate in Housing Studies. 

As the council's first housing modern apprentice, Amy is showing that becoming a young housing professional within the local authority is achievable as a career choice. Furthermore, Amy has welcomed the opportunity to grow her experiences and knowledge of other services that the housing strategy and regeneration team link with and has undergone shadowing exercises which range from one day to one week with various teams across property maintenance and housing services. Amy has only been with the council for approximately eight months but her commitment, personal development and work ethic should be commended.

Outcomes and achievements

Amy commenced employment with South Ayrshire Council in December 2024, as the first ever housing specific modern apprentice. Amy was placed within the housing strategy and regeneration team where she has demonstrated willingness to support all elements of the service, contributing towards driving forward service improvement and innovation. Amy has proven to be a highly competent member of the team with an outstanding work ethic and ability to build and maintain positive relationships with tenants, colleagues and partner agencies. 
 
Traditionally, housing services within South Ayrshire have worked to develop modern apprentices via our business administration qualifications. Amy as the first housing modern apprentice has achieved fantastic results, demonstrating the value of investing in new talent for the sector. Amy has developed core skills, enabling her to contribute meaningfully to cross-cutting local and national strategic housing objectives. Amy’s developing confidence in approaching a career in housing via her modern apprenticeship has proven that work-based learning can deliver long-term talent development for the housing sector as well as having a great personal development for Amy herself. 
 
The housing strategy and regeneration team are extremely proud of Amy and the dedication she has shown towards her qualifications, her workload and her personal development.

• Individual nominated: Lauren Hooks
• Organisation: South Lanarkshire Council

Statement of support

Lauren Hooks is an apprentice joiner with South Lanarkshire Council. Lauren commenced her apprenticeship in August 2021, and she is now in the final stages of her training.

Lauren has gained a variety of experience since starting her apprenticeship, which she has grasped with both hands. Lauren has not only learned the required skills to become a competent and confident joiner, but she has also learned to work in conjunction with other trades. Lauren has built her core and meta skills which she uses and adapts on a daily basis to suit the environment she is working in, and the people with whom she is working. 

Lauren has shown she wants to learn as much as she can, not only in relation to joinery work, but she wants to increase her knowledge of work carried out by other trades, in order that she has an understanding of all aspects of a job. This has been demonstrated in all sections she has worked within since starting her apprenticeship.

Aids and adaptation section

This work involved Lauren carrying out adaptations to a customer’s home, to allow them to remain in their home. This type of work involved Lauren collaborating with the customer, her tradesperson, other trades as well as the Occupational Therapist from Social Work, who makes the recommendations. It was very evident when Lauren started that she was keen and eager to learn all the aspects of her trade, she was always asking questions to ensure she understood what was going on as well as dealing with the customers in a caring and polite way.

Non-housing section

This section allowed Lauren to learn about different types of properties and a different customer base. Lauren was working in schools, council offices etc. carrying out repairs as required. Her customers included, teachers, janitors, office staff and again she adapted to her surroundings, asked questions to ensure she understood what was going on as well as building her knowledge and skills of joinery tasks.

Home improve

While working in this section Lauren really started to show what she was capable of. This job involved refitting new kitchens in the council’s housing stock. Lauren confidently carried out her share of the workload, while working to very tight timescales. Work took place in customers houses, normally while they were in another room of the property and Lauren had to work around other trades. Although still asking questions, if required, Lauren started to take on more responsibility and was working more independently. Lauren also learned how to complete the surveys, required prior to work being carried out. This involved detailing the layout/sizes of the kitchen, height, and location of sockets etc. as well as discussing with the customer their options for units/worktops etc. Lauren was also involved in the planning of the weekly programme of work, as well as organising the work packs which include asbestos information for the property and then recording everything required on the works spreadsheet. All of this allows her a better understanding of the work she engages in, and she is always keen to learn and help wherever possible. 

All the above has allowed Lauren to learn her skills on the job, adapt her skills to each job, understand the full job, and complete the work required to set timescales, all while pushing herself to continually learn more. As a result of this Lauren has become a valuable member of the Home Improve team and there is no doubt that this will continue when she becomes qualified.

Outcomes and achievements

Lauren has successfully completed Professional Development Awards in carpentry and joinery, SCQF Level 6 and 7 during her time at college and only has the skills test at the end of August to complete her apprenticeship.

In addition to carrying out her job, Lauren willing took on the opportunity to become involved in careers events. One particular event involved Lauren attending a Primary School, where she spoke to children in Primary 6 and 7 about being a joiner, highlighting the wide range of work she gets involved in, as an apprentice joiner working for the council. Lauren really enjoyed doing this and the children all loved hearing about her job. 

As a result of Lauren’s commitment to her training and learning as well as the high standards she applies in her work, she has been nominated during every year of her apprenticeship, for the Association for Public Service Excellence awards, both at a Scottish and National level. Indeed, Lauren was awarded winner of the 2nd Year Scottish Apprentice of the year and 3rd Year National Apprentice of the year. 

• Individual nominated: Callum Scouller
• Organisation: Ferguslie Park Housing Association

Statement of support

Since commencing his apprenticeship with Ferguslie Park Housing Association in June 2024, Callum has demonstrated remarkable growth, dedication, and professionalism, making a significant contribution to our property services team. His journey from a school leaver to a confident, capable young Housing professional exemplifies his commitment to personal development and to the housing sector itself.

From the outset, he displayed an impressive level of enthusiasm and a genuine willingness to learn and embrace new challenges. Over the course of his apprenticeship, Callum has shown consistent progression, blossoming in confidence and competence, which has positively impacted our team and our service delivery.

Callum has been actively involved in a variety of administrative tasks essential to the smooth operation of our property services team. Callum has played a vital role in scheduling repairs, liaising with contractors, updating maintenance records, and managing tenant communications. His meticulous attention to detail and organisational skills have ensured that our repair processes run smoothly and efficiently. He has also been instrumental in coordinating appointments, preparing work orders, and tracking progress, all while maintaining excellent communication with tenants and contractors alike.

In addition to his administrative duties, Callum has been proactive in supporting the team during busier periods. For instance, he has assisted with compiling reports for our management board, analysing repair trends, and helping to identify areas for process improvement. His willingness to step into additional responsibilities without hesitation demonstrates his growing confidence and dedication to his role.

Beyond his day-to-day tasks, Callum has shown admirable qualities such as reliability and a positive attitude, which have made him a valued team member. His ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, contractors, and tenants alike has been instrumental in maintaining the high standards of our service. His maturity and respectful approach, especially considering his age, have earned him the respect of staff and clients.

Furthermore, as part of our cyclical planned maintenance, we entrusted Callum with the management of our gutter cleaning program. This task involved coordinating the scheduling of works, monitoring progress, and reviewing contractor reports. During these works, Callum managed the programs efficiently, reviewing before and after images provided by the contractors to verify completion and quality. He also identified and raised any repair issues reported during the gutter cleaning process, ensuring timely resolution and maintaining the integrity of our housing stock. His diligent oversight of the contract’s performance and expenditure was instrumental in delivering the project on time and within budget.

Callum’s ability to manage the program effectively extended to monitoring the contracts' spend through small valuations. He reviewed contractor invoices, verified work completed against reports, and ensured that expenditures aligned with budget expectations. His attentiveness and analytical skills enabled him to identify cost-saving opportunities and optimise resource use. Ultimately, his careful management ensured that the gutter cleaning program was completed successfully, on schedule, and in line with financial targets.

His enthusiasm for his role and his eagerness to learn about housing management and maintenance processes highlight his potential for a long and successful career within the sector.

His growth from a school leaver to a confident, dependable member of the property services team has been impressive. He consistently demonstrates a proactive approach, a strong work ethic, and a genuine enthusiasm for his work. I am confident that his dedication and potential make him an excellent candidate for the CIH modern apprentice of the year award. Recognising Callum’s achievements would not only celebrate his own personal journey but also inspire other young people considering a career in the social housing sector.

Outcomes and achievements

Callum managed the association's gutter cleaning project as part of our cyclical planned maintenance. During the works, he managed the programs, reviewed the before and after information from the contractor and raised any repair works that came from the reports. He monitored the spending of the contract through small valuations and ultimately brought the project in on time and on budget. 

Following completion of the Gutter Cleaning Project, Callum drafted and presented a report on the programme to our management board.

Callum collaborated closely with the assets team to facilitate the kitchen replacement contract, providing valuable coordination and communication throughout the process. His proactive approach and attention to detail ensured smooth progress and timely completion of the project. Thanks to his dedicated efforts, the team successfully delivered a high-quality upgrade, contributing to an impressive 86 per cent satisfaction rate among residents.

During his time with the association, Callum has completed his CIH Certificate in Housing Practice (SCQF Level 5) and also recently completed the SVQ in Housing (SCQF Level 6) a year ahead of schedule! He has ambitions to continue his education and development by completing the CIH Level 4 in Property Maintenance.

• Individual nominated: Hannah Dyer
• Organisation: Ferguslie Park Housing Association

Statement of support

Since joining Ferguslie Park Housing Association in June 2024, Hannah has demonstrated exceptional dedication, enthusiasm, and growth, making her a truly deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.

Hannah began her journey with FPHA shortly after leaving school at the age of 16. From the outset, she displayed a keen willingness to learn and a positive attitude that quickly set her apart. Over the past several months, she has matured significantly, blossoming from a tentative newcomer into a confident and valued member of our housing management team. Her journey exemplifies the remarkable development that can occur through dedication, support, and real-world experience.

Throughout her apprenticeship, Hannah has taken on a broad range of tasks that are integral to our day-to-day housing management functions, whilst completing her CIH qualifications. She has assisted with tenant enquiries, providing support and information to residents with professionalism and empathy. Whether handling routine questions about rent accounts or addressing more complex issues related to tenancy agreements, Hannah approaches each task with a genuine desire to help, demonstrating excellent communication skills and a respectful manner. Her ability to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully has earned her the trust and appreciation of our tenants.

Hannah has also been actively involved in the administrative aspects of housing management. She has helped update tenant records, prepare documentation for meetings, and assist with the processing of housing applications. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures that all records are accurate and up-to-date, which is vital for maintaining the integrity of our housing waiting list. Her enthusiasm for learning new systems and procedures has enabled her to quickly become proficient in the use of our housing management software. This allowed her to take the lead in providing training on the housing management system to new members of staff recently.

In addition, Hannah has shown a keen interest in community engagement. She has participated in outreach activities aimed at fostering stronger relationships between the housing association and our tenants. Her friendly demeanour and proactive approach have been instrumental in encouraging tenants to participate in surveys and community events, helping us gather valuable feedback to improve our services. Her involvement in these initiatives highlights her understanding of the importance of community cohesion and her commitment to making a positive difference.

Hannah’s development extends beyond her technical skills; she has become a confident communicator and an effective team player. She readily collaborates with colleagues across different departments, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to take on new challenges. Her positive attitude and resilience have been particularly evident during busy periods, where she has maintained her professionalism and focus under pressure.

Perhaps most impressive is Hannah’s growth in confidence and independence. When she first started, she was somewhat reserved, but her willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and learn from her experiences has transformed her into a proactive and self-assured individual. She now takes ownership of her tasks and approaches her responsibilities with a maturity well beyond her years.

Hannah’s journey with Ferguslie Park Housing Association exemplifies the qualities we value highly in our apprentices: dedication, eagerness to learn, compassion, and a strong work ethic. Her accomplishments over such a short period are a testament to her potential and the positive impact she has already had on our organisation. She embodies the spirit of the modern apprentice of the Year award and serves as an inspiring example for other young people entering the housing sector.

Outcomes and achievements

During her time with the association, Hannah has completed her CIH Certificate in Housing Practice (SCQF Level 5) and is currently working toward SVQ in Housing (SCQF Level 6).

Hannah was given the responsibility to carry out a review of all applicants on our housing waiting lists as we transitioned to a new housing management software, and this process took over 12 months to complete and was vital to our allocations processes.

Hannah assisted in organising a successful tenant participation event, contributing to various aspects such as arranging food and drinks, coordinating entertainment, ensuring facility availability, and being present at the event to support attendees.

Hannah manages our Annual Garden Competition 'Flower of Ferguslie'. This involved designing posters and promotional materials for participants, conducting estate walkabouts to identify well-maintained gardens, compiling a shortlist of the most nominated entries, and distributing the finalists for voting at the local community centre. After voting concluded, she reached out to the three winners and delivered their prizes.

Hannah has delivered internal training to some of our new team members, demonstrating a level of confidence and competence well beyond her years.

• Individual nominated: Bella Kerr
• Organisation: Wheatley Group

Statement of support

Bella Kerr joined Wheatley Group as a modern apprentice in September 2023. Since then, she has consistently excelled and become a role model for other young people across the organisation. Initially joining as a reserved and quiet individual, it has been a pleasure to watch Bella’s personal and professional growth in her time here. Over the course of her apprenticeship, she has achieved remarkable milestones, demonstrating maturity, initiative, and an eagerness to learn. 

Bella’s first placement in her apprenticeship was with the Wheatley Homes East housing team, where she quickly became an integral part. With the support of her mentors, Bella provided valuable assistance to housing officers and wider colleagues. 

Her friendly, professional, and empathetic approach made her a natural when engaging with customers, earning their trust and respect. Bella was entrusted with a range of administrative responsibilities and shadowed experienced staff, consistently delivering work to a high standard. Her mentor within the housing team shared that Bella took full ownership of various projects, completing them so efficiently that housing officers were not required to do any follow-up. 

She was praised for her customer engagement skills, her acts of kindness, and her ability to connect with people. Bella is very inquisitive and she frequently asked insightful follow-up questions, offered opinions and demonstrated a strong ability to piece together information to better support tenants. Her mentors made clear Bella’s strong understanding of and passion for front-line housing. 

Following her success in housing, Bella joined the Wheatley Homes East repairs team. Despite the shift in environment, systems, and responsibilities, she adapted quickly and proved herself to be a valuable member of the team. Her manager stated that she was a fantastic addition to the team and could be trusted to complete tasks independently, efficiently, and to a high standard. 

During her placement she took the initiative to develop an improved system of filing and keeping records which was a significant help for the team. Bella was also recognised for her willingness to ask questions, which demonstrated her eagerness to develop and succeed. Bella especially developed her confidence and resilience within this placement and made impressive progress in her interpersonal skills. 

Her next placement was with the Lowther team, where she encountered new systems, processes, and responsibilities. Bella embraced the challenge, taking ownership of projects and demonstrating her capability by taking on additional tasks, including compliance work. This placement really pushed Bella to improve her skills and further developed her confidence. She also began mentoring other young people, supporting colleagues with tasks she had taken ownership of herself. 

Throughout every stage of her apprenticeship, Bella has demonstrated a commitment to her development. Her journey has been marked by consistent personal and professional growth, and her progression has been clear in every placement she has undertaken.at a young age and at such an early stage in her career Bella demonstrates so much potential for her future and we very proud of everything that she has achieved so far.

Outcomes and achievements

As a result of her dedication, initiative, and excellence throughout her apprenticeship, Bella has now secured a permanent role as a housing administrator with the Edinburgh housing support team which is a well-deserved achievement and a testament to her hard work and potential. 

Bella has become a valuable role model to other young people across the organisation, taking on mentor roles within her teams, supporting with our summer work experience programme and sharing her experience at recruitment events to encourage young people to apply for our future opportunities which is all indicative of the impressive growth in her confidence and professional development. 

Bella has also undertaken an SVQ housing qualification with the City of Glasgow College alongside her full-time apprenticeship and has now begun completing her CIH Level 2 in housing qualification. Her tutor has shared that the knowledge and experience Bella has gained during her time working in the housing sector has been evident in her work towards her CIH Level 2 housing qualification.  She supports her work with reference to relevant legislation and speaks passionately about the importance of delivering outstanding customer service, tailoring services to the individual and working with the customer to achieve a solution. 

• Individual nominated: Riordan Mason
• Organisation: River Clyde Homes

Statement of support

Riordan Mason was the successful candidate for the River Clyde Homes (RCH) modern apprenticeship housing administration assistant. Riordan started the modern apprentice role in September last year and is currently working towards completing his Business and Administration SCQF Level 6 qualification. Riordan joined RCH straight from school with no housing experience whatsoever and he has taken to the workplace environment like a natural and is now seeking to develop his career as a housing professional.

Riordan works in the customer services directorate across three area housing teams and is supported in his role by one of the area housing managers, who provides mentoring support. His role is extremely varied as he is undertaking a range of housing management administrative tasks and updates several housing portals. Following some internal changes across the teams he has stepped up and taken the lead in undertaking additional housing administrative tasks.

Since joining RCH, Riordan has demonstrated that he is a reliable member of staff who constantly displays a drive to improve and learn. Currently he is leading on RCH’s Initiative to recruit new members and is linking in with new customers to encourage tenant engagement and feedback on our services. Whatever task is presented to Riordan he approaches it with an eagerness that will serve him well in his housing career. Riordan has grown in confidence working in his role so much, so he has taken on the role of training newer members of staff in specific administrative duties.

Whenever there are competing priorities across the teams, Riordan is always keen to step in and help. He commonly accompanies the housing officers on joint visits which supports his own learning and development, and he is now a well-known face within communities and has directly built relationships with our customers in some of our most challenging areas. 

In addition, to working across the area housing teams, Riordan expressed an interest in working in the void team, to enhance his knowledge further around the void management process end to end. He spent time shadowing the void officers, observing the void repairs scoping process and what is involved in turning around a void property to hand back to the housing officer. His keenness to learn did not stop there and he has assisted in the contact centre, taking calls, providing advice to customers using the knowledge and experience he gained from working in the area housing teams.

Further to Riordan's growth across the customer services directorate, he had a real desire to give something back to the community where he lives. At RCH’s recent Working in Neighbourhoods (WIN) Day, Riordan welcomed the opportunity with great passion to help improve the communal areas of the primary school which he attended while he was growing up. Riordan took the lead cleaning and painting the benches in the playground as well as working with colleagues from housing, IT, HR, and Home Fix Scotland trade operatives to build and paint an outdoor stage for the next generation to perform on when they return from the summer break. He worked tirelessly all day with a smile on his face.

Riordan is very much a part of the customer services directorate, his learning and development across housing has grown in a short period. Riordan is enthusiastic, dedicated, hardworking and keen to progress his housing career and he is living several of RCH’s values including “Every Opportunity Taken” and “Every Person Positive.”

Outcomes and achievements

• David Menzies, assessor:

“Riordan is fully committed to the assessments within his qualification, and he submits everything in a timely manner. 

The evidence he provides for each of his assessments is of a high standard and he shows clear knowledge and competence.

He has a pleasant, friendly, and professional manner when we complete our calls, and these attributes are clearly present in the evidence he has supplied so far for his qualification. One unit he has shown enthusiasm and solid evidence for was supporting the design and development of an information system, this unit and the others closed so far has been supported with witness statements from his line manager.”

• Elaine Cannon, head of housing services:

“Riordan has been a terrific addition to the customer services directorate; he is hard working and keen to learn and takes every opportunity to shadow colleagues when he can and he never shies away from asking questions to further his knowledge. Riordan’s involvement in the WIN Day, where he worked extremely hard demonstrates his commitment to giving something back and to the school where he learned so much as a pupil. Riordan has demonstrated he is an excellent candidate for apprentice of the year.”

• Individual nominated: Shaun Wilcox
• Organisation: Moray Council

Statement of support

Shaun Wilcox (in his own words)

I applied for an apprenticeship with Moray Council back in December 2021. I saw this as a wonderful opportunity, to not only gain the skillset and knowledge of a particular trade, to better myself in life giving me the work and life experience to carry myself forward, but to work for my local council alongside a variety of different trades and people. 

I have now entered my fourth year as an apprentice plumber/heating engineer, learning about all aspects of plumbing, heating, and a small insight to renewables. During this time, I have picked up numerous different awards including the following.

I am progressing very well, overcoming a lack of confidence in the beginning of my apprenticeship. Over the last three and a half years I have worked along-side different journeymen, picking up different techniques from all, which has helped me mould my own way of working. I have the confidence to approach all forms of plumbing work and to try my hand at anything. I will never shy away from any tasks assigned, and if I am ever stuck, I have the journeymen, supervisors, and managers around me who are always willing to help. 

My plans are to carry on my career progression working towards completing my apprenticeship and becoming gas safe registered. I will continue to enjoy working for Moray Council, eventually being a time served plumbing & heating engineer. I want to be as competent as I can be to reach my full potential. I have a good support system in and around work, which allows me to have a good work-life balance, which I think is important especially with a young family.

Moray Council has given me the opportunity to better myself, so I feel a sense of loyalty towards my employers. The trade I have chosen is so vast, and working with numerous trades and meeting new people is one of the many benefits I enjoy most. As stated, I will continue to progress and be the best version of myself.

On a personal note, I am delighted to have won several local college and national awards in lead and copper work, which is testament to the training I have received at Moray Council and Moray College and gives me so much confidence. 

Testaments 

Reference one – college lecturer

• “I recommend Shaun as a credible candidate for this Apprentice of the Year award. His personal achievements speak for themselves, and he is a conscientious and humble individual, who is a pleasure to teach.” Jim McKinnon, deputy head of curriculum, construction

Reference two – on site supervisor 

• “Shaun’s all-round ability for this stage of his apprenticeship is excellent, he is by far the best apprentice I have ever trained and a credit to himself and Moray Council. He is a very quiet and polite individual, who works well with others and demonstrates high practical skill as well as excellent customer skills. I would highly recommend him for an APSE Apprentice of the year award, to add to his numerous accolades received to date, all of which are well deserved.” Stuart Gauld, heating upgrade contracts coordinator, building services DLO, Moray Council

Reference three – team manager 

• “Shaun is a credit to building services and Moray Council. The way and speed that he has developed during his apprenticeship to date is through dedication, a strong work ethos and hard work. He is always keen to learn new skills and never too shy to ask for help, or support. He is one for the future and we aim to develop his skills further and train him on air source heating maintenance and installation, which will bode well for both his and our future. I would highly recommend him for a further accolade, which is not something we don’t do often for our apprentices and only by exception, which is clear and well deserved in Shaun’s case.” Chris Ewen, heating and electrical manager, building services DLO, Moray Council

Outcomes and achievements

• Individual nominated: Lewis Brown
• Organisation: Upkeep (part of Shettleston Housing Association group)

Statement of support

Upkeep is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shettleston Housing Association and Lewis is a final year (year four) apprentice Joiner working across Upkeep’s busy void, reactive and cyclical maintenance services, Lewis has built a robust reputation across the group, not only as a capable, technically minded and solutions focused tradesperson but also as an individual with the communication skills, attitude and compassionate nature who is developing into an extremely effective member of our frontline housing team.

As he enters the final year of his apprenticeship, Lewis has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of the community within which we operate and the needs of our tenants and how his role as a joiner responding to and rectifying problems as they arise is crucial to the effective running of the ‘group’. 

In nominating him for the apprentice of the year award Upkeep are keen to acknowledge the maturity he shows daily as but also his understanding of the role of community-based housing associations and the crucial role they play in maintaining and championing local engagement and preserving our built environment.

Having the skills Lewis possesses and utilising these to help ensure Shettleston Housing Association homes remain fit for purpose is ever more important given the national skills shortage unfolding and as budgets continue to be pressed by increasing costs the ability to harness such skills ‘in-house’ is crucial to the associations’ ability to maintain our properties moving forward.

Over and above the remit of his role Lewis has also demonstrated a keen interest in working in an environmentally focussed manner, helping us recycle waste materials from void properties ensuring timbers, cardboard and inert materials are segregated on site and transported for disposal ensuring waste sent to landfill from our properties is minimised. He has also taken a keen interest in our group wide sustainability strategy helping us to establish a composting facility for our landscape waste and helping erect signage advising of our team efforts to enhance biodiversity in the area through the planting of wildflower seeds and encouraging the return of pollinators and insects to our green spaces.

In short Lewis has a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills and works well across all areas of the group with strong links with our property maintenance and housing teams as well as his colleagues across all-disciplines within Upkeep, as exemplified by his active participation in ‘group’ wide training and at key ‘group events’ such as our annual conference. 

He is also highly regarded by our tenants who regularly commend him on his attitude, workmanship, and generally pleasant demeanour which is engaging and builds rapport. These are essential skills for any front-line housing operative. 

It is my opinion that recognising a trades person in an awards category which may be perceived as synonymous with a more traditional housing role will encourage greater recognition of the critical role our tradespeople play in ensuring our homes remain fit for purpose, especially at a time when leading industry bodies are reporting a continued loss of skilled labour in the sector. Additionally, such recognition may assist in encouraging young people to pursue a non-traditional career in the sector.

Outcomes and achievements

Lewis has successfully completed the third year of his apprenticeship and has consistently achieved high levels of praise from his college lecturers, his foreman joiner, his work colleagues and the Construction Industry Trade Body (CITB) who regularly monitor his progress. Lewis continues to pass all skill related requirements and is nearing completion of his skills portfolio which is assessed in the run up to his final year skills test before he can be become a fully qualified joiner.

Lewis has become an integral part of delivery team with his skillset and proactive attitude ensuring he remains key to our future development plans once he qualifies and beyond.

In showcasing his achievements Lewis has led on a number of projects with minimal support far above our expectations of his level of skill for a third year. During his time with us Lewis led on a number of projects ranging from component replacements i.e. kitchens and bathrooms to a recent project undertaking works to a fire damaged property, which has required all ceiling and walls removed and replaced, new kitchen and bathroom, new doors and floors as well as structural timber work.

Lewis approaches all projects with the same enthusiasm and receiving this award would further encourage and recognise his commitment to his role and how this complements the work of the group and the wider community.