Glasgow Chamber Of Commerce

… as Trades House of Glasgow announces MAYA winners

Julia Wallace (aged 28), a third year marine electrical engineer apprentice with BAE Systems Maritime Naval Ships, has beaten stiff competition to win the Trades House of Glasgow Modern Apprentice of the Year Award 2012 (MAYA), sponsored by the Weir Group PLC. 

Second and third places went to her colleagues, third year mechanical engineering apprentice Greg Cameron (aged 26 - 2nd), and systems welding apprentice David Crawford (aged 21 - 3rd), who has just recently completed his apprenticeship.

Julia, who has learned her trade working on the Type 45 Destroyers, the most advanced warships in the world, was presented with her prize of an inscribed trophy by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. While this will remain on display in the Trades Hall, home to the Trades House of Glasgow, she also received an inscribed replica, a cash prize of £300 for further study and a certificate.  Greg was presented with a prize of £200 and David of £100 towards relevant further study along with certificates.

"MAYA was introduced by the Trades House of Glasgow in 2006 to encourage the broad spectrum of apprenticeships for young people or for those seeking a career change," said Deacon Convener of the Trades of Glasgow Jack Steele.  "We are most grateful for the sponsorship support of the Weir Group, which has helped us bring MAYA to fruition this year.

"As with all our projects, we have set the standards high for MAYA and enlisted the help of the city's leaders in commerce and industry to sit on our judging panel.  The nominated candidates did not disappoint and gave our judges quite a challenge in selecting the finalists and overall winner.  Our congratulations go to Julia, Greg and David, along with BAE Systems for their great success this year."

Andrew Smith, HR Director at BAE Systems, said: "The success of our apprentices at this year's Trades House of Glasgow Modern Apprentice of the Year Awards is not only testament to the commitment and enthusiasm they have demonstrated throughout their apprenticeship but also the sense of pride that they bring to their work.  As an integral part of our business, we are very proud of our apprentices' achievements and wish them all the very best for a long and rewarding career."

MAYA is open to people working towards a Scottish Modern Apprenticeship or those certificated no earlier than May 2011, who are employed by any business in the Glasgow post code area.  The apprenticeship system was first established and maintained in the City in medieval times by the 14 historic Craft Guilds, which united to form the Trades House of Glasgow in 1605.  The goal then was to ensure high quality workmanship and customer service.  Today, the Trades House of Glasgow Modern Apprentice of the Year Award showcases the commitment and capability of candidates who have chosen this route to further their careers.

Jim McHarg, Group Head of Learning and Development at the Weir Group said: "Weir Group is delighted to sponsor these awards and we congratulate the prizewinners. Throughout its 140 year history, the Group has been recruiting and developing apprentices in Scotland, the UK and overseas and we continue to see this as a solid foundation to building successful careers in the engineering sector.  Indeed, many of our senior management team started their careers as apprentices and are now leading key areas of our business."