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Skilled students from Reid Kerr College's Institute of Construction & Engineering (ICE) were celebrating their achievements recently at their annual award ceremony. Family, friends, employers, official guests and College staff gathered to honour the best Construction and Engineering students at Reid Kerr, with a presentation of prizes and Certificates of Achievement for outstanding performance in their field.
David Cuthbert of Construction Skills said, "I have been working with Reid Kerr College for a number of years and there is no doubt that the partnership between the college and Construction Skills is thriving. All of the apprentices passing through Reid Kerr College are in very good hands, receiving the very best in training, ultimately producing top quality students eager to succeed in their chosen trade."
Electrical Students Kenneth Mason, 23 from Paisley and Michael Kelly, 21 from Oban were named joint winners of the Electrical 3rd year prize. Michael is one of many Electrical students, working for Oban Electrical, who have travelled to Reid Kerr to complete their qualifications. Michael attended the event with his employer Sandy Dunlop who made the trip to Paisley and joined the celebrations.
Jordan Parker, 17 from Renfrew and Liam Kelly, 16 from Johnstone were celebrating their success on the night when they were recognised for their hard work and commitment to their construction training at Reid Kerr. Jordan, a former Renfrew High School pupil and Liam, a former Johnstone High pupil, attended the College for 2 years as part of their school curriculum and were named joint winners of the Construction Skills for Work Award. Both students are now studying for full-time Pre-Apprenticeship course at Reid Kerr.
Christopher O'Donnell, was celebrating at the double when he picked up two awards at the ceremony. The Engineering student was named winner of the Welding and Joining Award and was also given the John Cunningham Award on the night. Described by his lecturers as ‘an outstanding student', the 29 year old from Linwood was delighted to be recognised for his achievements. The John Cunningham Award is given to Reid Kerr's most promising Advanced Craft student and was presented by Duncan MacIntosh of Paisley Trades Union Council.
Construction student Karen Ure, 18 from Thornliebank was celebrating a hatrick at the awards which saw her recognised for her excellence in training at Reid Kerr College. Karen has been attending Reid Kerr for 2 years and has already completed a Pre-Apprenticeship Construction, Pre-Apprenticeship with Renewable & Sustainable Energy at Intermediate 2 and a National Certificate (NC) Built Environment. Karen picked up the Best Full-time Student Award in each of these courses.
Roof, Slating and Tiling student John Harvey, 22 from Renfrew was recognised for his achievements and after completing his 1st year at college, was named winner of the Roof, Slating & Tiling 1st Year Award. Johnathan MacDonald, from Greenock was among the Brickwork students receiving awards and the 21 year old who is at the top of his trade, picked up the prize for Advanced Certificate: Brickwork.
City and Guilds sponsored a series of awards, with both Electrical and Gas students recognised. Gordon Guthrie, 51 from Neilston and Paul MacNeill, 50 from Houston are both time served electricians who have returned to education in order to re-train and set up their own businesses in the industry. Named Best City and Guilds students, Gordon picked up the awards for City & Guilds 2391 and Paul picked up the City & Guilds 2382. Stewart MacLeod, 30 from Paisley was recognised for his commitment to his studies and was named winner of the City & Guilds 6012 Gas Central Heating & Installation Award.
Neil McLeod, Training Officer with the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) said, "It's always gratifying to see the students who have put in the effort and dedication in their own field to be recognised and awarded by the college. Congratulations, to all the award winners this year. You're a credit to your employers and your family."
Distance was never a problem for Carpentry and Joinery student Iain MacVicar, 21 from Benbecula. The young student has made the trip to Paisley for the past 3 years to complete his apprenticeship and the talented and dedicated student was delighted to be named winner of the Advanced Certificate: Carpentry & Joinery.
There were a number of special awards given to students who have demonstrated exceptional performance within their construction trade. Christopher Watson, 19 from Paisley was presented with the Scottish Association of Timber Trade Teachers (SATTT) Award from the College Principal, Joe Mooney. Christopher's work was included in a national competition and was recognised for his high level of skill at college and quality of his entry. Fellow Carpentry and Joinery student Paul Kerr, 28 from Paisley was presented with two awards by Wilson Miller from the Institute of Carpenters. Paul who was competing at national level last year, was very successful, taking the top prize at the Carpenters Craft Competition and ‘runner-up' prize for the James Birnie Award. Paul was presented with a special award in recognition of his achievements outside of college.
David McCulloch, Head of ICE at Reid Kerr said, "All of our students show great commitment and effort to their studies and these awards recognise those students who have excelled in their trade while at College. There is a wealth of talent within the Construction and Engineering departments at Reid Kerr and congratulations must go to all the awardees with thanks to the sponsors and employers who also support this event."
