YOU’RE HIRED! APPRENTICE AWARDS

A talented young worker from the public sector has been declared the Apprentice of the Year at the APSE Scotland Building and Housing Services Awards. Robbie Blake of West Lothian Council was presented with the award by Willie McFall, Business Manager at Hays Construction & Property - the UK’s leading specialist recruitment consultancy.

The glittering dinner and awards ceremony took place at the Peebles Hydro Hotel in the Scottish Borders. The awards, which have been running for 11 years, recognise both aspiring young tradespeople and the councils who invest in their training. Over 150 people attended the awards and there were representatives from many local companies.

Award entrants were first nominated by their employer and a portfolio produced. The apprentices were firstly subjected to a site visit by Willie McFall, leading to 10 local authorities being shortlisted for the award. Finally there was a rigorous interview by a judging panel more daunting than Alan Sugar; consisting of APSE Scottish Principal Advisor Pat Taggart, Glasgow Councillor Aileen Colleran and Willie McFall. The judges faced a difficult decision but eventually decided on Robbie because of his overall excellence through all stages of the judging process.

Willie McFall comments: ‘’The evening was extremely successful and a good time was had by all. Hays Construction & Property is pleased to sponsor an awards ceremony which rewards the hard work and dedication of young apprentices in the industry. We received some absolutely fantastic entries this year, making our final decision as judges very difficult. We would like to congratulate Robbie and all of the other finalists for their outstanding achievement’’.

For further information about our construction jobs, contact Willie McFall, consultant at Hays Construction & Property in Glasgow, on 0141 226 5999.

Note to Editor

Hays Construction & Property is the UK's largest specialist recruitment consultancy to the built environment. Formed in 1958, Hays Construction & Property has over 80 offices throughout the UK and Ireland, as well as locations in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. With a support network of over 700 local consultants, Hays Construction & Property places candidates in permanent and temporary positions for hundreds of private and public sector organisations.

Hays Construction & Property is a subdivision of Hays Plc, the FTSE 250 Company which employs 7,753 staff operating from 376 offices in 25 countries across 17 specialisms. Hays Plc placed circa 68,000 candidates into permanent jobs and paid circa 46,000 temporary workers weekly during the year ending 30 June 07.

For further press information please contact:

Claire Fowler
Senior Communications Executive
Hays Construction & Property

t. 020 7222 6543
e. claire.s.fowler@hays.com