Midlothian’s Magnificent Seven

This group of young workers are Midlothian’s “magnificent seven” - because they’re the winners of the 2008 Midlothian Apprentice Of The Year competition.

They are pictured here after being presented with their prizes and trophies by Provost Adam Montgomery at the awards ceremony in Midlothian Council Chamber in Dalkeith. Standing, from left, are: Ewan Galbraith, Provost Montgomery, overall winner Dane McDonald, radio presenter Scott Wilson, Melanie Neave and Kimberly Davidson; kneeling, from left, are Paul Thomas, Kevin Darling and Martin Logan.

The winner Dane McDonald - from Penicuik - is a heating engineer who works with SPIE Matthew Hall. He received a cheque for £500 and the winning Rosebowl Trophy. It was only in 5th year at school that Dane thought of becoming a heating engineer and he considers himself fortunate to have been able to secure an apprenticeship.

Congratulating the winners, Provost Adam Montgomery said, “With the Midlothian economy and population base predicted to expand over the next decade, we aim to work in partnership with local employers and the private sector to create a dynamic, lifelong learning environment to enable people to gain and develop the workplace skills, qualifications and experience required for a vibrant and growing local economy.

“One of the critical success factors in developing and running any business is always about getting the best out of people. That’s why the Midlothian Apprentice Of The Year Award aims to identify the best and reward these apprentices for their commitment to their employer, their positive, ‘can-do’ approach in their place of work, their attitude to learning and their overall achievement during their apprenticeships.”

The Midlothian Apprentice of The Year Competition is run by Midlothian Council and organised by Essential HR - a subsidiary of Dalkeith-based Midlothian Enterprise Trust, with additional support from Scottish Enterprise, Careers Scotland and local employer CharlesTaylor Woodwork. The competition is open to all trainees currently registered on a Modern Apprentice training programme who either live or work in Midlothian.
Master of Ceremonies Scott Wilson - a radio presenter with Talk 107 FM - has been involved in the Midlothian Apprentice of the Year award since it started 8 years ago. “I am delighted to have seen it emulated by other local authorities as it has developed,” he said.
The winners - who collectively received prize money worth a total of £1,850 - are:

Midlothian Apprentice of the Year 2008
Dane McDonald - from Penicuik - is a heating engineer who works with SPIE Matthew Hall. He received a cheque for £500 and the winning Rosebowl Trophy.

Best Engineering Apprentice
Paul Thomas (from Tranent) is a plumbing/ heating apprentice who works in Loanhead with J&E McGreggor. Ewan Galbraith, from Penicuik - a heating/ ventilation apprentice with Crown House in Bellshill - was runner-up.

Best Construction Apprentice
Martin Logan, a joiner with Taylor Wimpey was the winner, and runner-up was Kevin Darling from Dalkeith - also a joiner with Taylor Wimpey.

Best Administration Apprentice
Kimberly Davidson, who is an office administrator in Loanhead with Jura Consultants, was the winner: runner-up was Bonnyrigg travel agent Melanie Neave

Dane McDonald said: “Winning the 2008 Midlothian Apprentice Of The Year award is a great honour for me - but I couldn’t have achieved this without the support and encouragement of my employer, SPIE Matthew Hall.”

Now in his 3rd of 4 years, Dane expects to stay on with his present employers after completing the course but sees all sorts of possibilities for the future.

“I enjoy the different parts of the job, meeting new people and travelling  – and the wages are good too,” he says. “I should have a secure future.”

Midlothian Council kindly acknowledges the support of the following sponsors towards the Midlothian Apprentice of the Year 2008 event: -

Charles Taylor Woodwork
Grange Estates (Newbattle) Ltd
George Wimpey East Scotland Ltd
John Dennis & Company (Scotland) Ltd
RSP Consulting Engineers LLP
Building Engineering Services Training Ltd (BEST)
Midlothian Enterprise Trust
Midlothian Chamber of Commerce
Jewel & Esk Valley College
Protective & Decorative Surface Coatings Ltd
Rosslyn Chapel Trust
MacTaggart Scott & Co. Ltd
G. D.Mills Plumbing & Heating
Lothian And Borders Electrical
Charles Letts & Co Ltd
McEwan Decor Ltd
Gardiner Russell
21 Nine Design