Apprentice competition draws record number of participants in Glasgow

A SCOTLAND-wide apprentice competition was recently held at in Glasgow.

The City of Glasgow College played host to the Scottish leg of the nationwide Painting and Decorating Association’s (PDA) Apprentice of the Year competition. A total of 24 apprentices battled it out for the top prize.

It is the 35th year that the competition has been held and the winners will be announced at the PDA’s Premier Trophy Awards held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London, in July.

Neil Ogilvie, chief executive of PDA and one of the judges, said: “The competition event at City of Glasgow College was an excellent day, with both junior and senior apprentices really demonstrating their skills as well as taking the opportunity to network with their peers.

“With just six hours to transform a large blank board into a copy of a complex image designed to test their precision, stamina and skill, the competition has become a proving ground for young people embarking on a career in colour.”

The event at City of Glasgow College is one of four regional heats.

The first took place at North Kent College in March with further rounds at South City College Birmingham and Accrington and Rossendale College ahead of the Grand Final at Doncaster College and University Centre in June.

Michael McEwan, lecturer at City of Glasgow College, said: “This is the second year we’ve hosted the PDA competition, which has attracted a record number of apprentices this year.

“It’s great to see so many talented students taking part in this type of competition.

“It’s so important to the industry as it showcases the talent that is coming through and the work we do in the colleges as well.”