Star apprentice

A SHETLAND Islands Council employee has been named as a finalist for this year’s Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards.

Michael Leftwich impressed officials when he completed a four year apprenticeship supporting building surveyors and technical staff before landing a job in the council’s estates operations department.

He has been nominated in the Higher Level Apprentice of the Year category at the Scottish awards, which are being held at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms on 18 November.

Leftwich came through his apprenticeship with an SVQ 3 and SVQ 4 in build environment design, and HNCs in construction management and quantity surveying.

SIC infrastructure director Maggie Sandison said she was “delighted” to see Leftwich’s achievements being honoured.

“Michael has developed his skills tremendously over his time as an apprentice, and recently project managed a small extension to a school, overseeing all areas of the work,” she said.

“He has always been very thorough, and we were confident in giving him that responsibility – and he proved his abilities. I wish him all the very best for the future.”