Cardonald College student, Tracy Henderson (29) from Castlemilk, has scooped the first ever Trades House of Glasgow Modern Apprentice of the Year Award for her apprenticeship in Joinery which was served at North View Housing Association.

Tracy was selected from hundreds of candidates throughout Glasgow and shone through in a short-list of six finalists. She picked up her winning quaiche, certificate and cash prize of £500 for further study from Deacon Convener of the Trades of Glasgow, Malcolm Wishart, and Jim McColl OBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of Clyde Blowers Ltd.

Tracy started at Cardonald College in 2004 to study Pre Vocational Joinery, a course co-ordinated by the Castlemilk Economic Development Agency, funded by the European Social Fund and aimed at the unemployed and socially excluded. Since then she has completed two SVQ courses and is studying towards an Advanced Craft Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery.

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Faculty Head for Technology, Business and Industry at Cardonald College, Duncan McDougall, said: “Tracy is an exemplary student, and is a strong role model to both women and men who want to work within the construction industry. Everyone at the College is extremely proud of her for achieving such a prestigious award, especially given the strength of other apprentices across a range of other industries.”

Tracy Henderson, said: “When I found out I had been short listed I was shocked. The other apprentices were all strong candidates and I couldn’t believe I was selected as the overall winner. I hope that other young people who might be unemployed or may not think that education is for them will be inspired by my achievement, and will look into going to college to learn a trade – it is one of the most life changing things I have ever done.”

ConstructionSkills (formerly CITB) part funded Tracy in her apprenticeship and its director for Scotland, Graeme Ogilvy, commented: “It is encouraging to see this award being won by a joiner and Tracy is a great ambassador for the industry. Her success illustrates how the right balance of hard work and talent can be nurtured through exceptional training and employer support.”

“With the construction industry in Scotland looking to recruit an additional 6,830 new recruits every year until 2011, future recruits like Tracy will be in great demand. As the Sector Skills Council for the industry, one of our biggest challenges is to ensure new entrants and existing workers have access to training that will deliver the right skills required for projects across all sectors. Ongoing support and co-operation from colleges such as Cardonald College and employers such as North View Housing Association Ltd will help us to secure a smart, successful and sustainable industry.”

(CD)