An Aberdeenshire painting and decorating firm is committed to supporting the younger workforce of today, having taken on a total of 15 apprentices in only three years.   R Davidson Painters & Decorators, based in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, has enrolled the youngsters, aged between 16 and 21 years from Aberdeen city and shire, in a bid to continually support the local economy, as well as the firm’s rapid growth in both private and commercial markets.   The painting and decorating firm has partnered with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to deliver the apprenticeships, with all 15 employees attending North East Scotland College as part of the scheme.   With 15 currently being the highest number of apprentices for R Davidson Painters & Decorators at any one time, the firm plans to exceed this figure next year, proposing to take on an additional six apprentices to support its growing portfolio.   Managing director and owner of R Davidson Painters & Decorators, Trevor Mutch, said: “Although we have taken on apprentices for many years now, this has been highest number we’ve had at the firm, with each at various stages of their apprentice programme, ranging from first to fourth year.   “It is important for us to train our painters and decorators up to the standard we maintain across all our services, and with the current skills shortage, it is becoming harder and harder to source highly skilled workers. Therefore it’s crucial we invest both time and money in supporting the younger generation, to help boost the local economy, as well as sustain the future of our business.”   Ryan Neish, a fully-qualified tradesman at R Davidson Painters & Decorators, said: “I completed my painting and decorating apprenticeship with R Davidson last year, after undergoing a four-year programme that helped me to enhance my knowledge and skills in this field. I found the programme very valuable, particularly when developing my trade skills and picking up tips from my mentors whilst on the job. I am very grateful for the opportunity that R Davidson has given me.”   With a current headcount of 100, the decorating firm, which specialises in delivering bespoke painting, decorating and ames taping services for the private domestic and commercial markets, relocated to larger offices at the start of the year to support its ever-increasing staff numbers, occupying the ground floor of the Banchory Business Centre 2 (BBC2).   With a range of major commercial clients, R Davidson Painters & Decorators has worked on some of Aberdeen’s most prestigious developments, including the renovation of the city’s Marischal College.   For more information about R Davidson Painters & Decorators, please visit www.rdbanchory.co.uk, or call 01330 824877.

An apprentice from a leading specialist-engineering contractor with its headquarters in Inverness has been awarded a top accolade by the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) at a special ceremony held at Scottish Parliament. Steven Reid, 22, who works as an apprentice plant maintenance fitter at Daviot Group, was named Scottish Civil Engineering Apprentice of the Year in the prestigious awards. He travelled to Edinburgh on Wednesday 9 December 2015 to collect the award from the Scottish Parliament. Daviot Group nominated Steven in recognition of his high standards of work, attention to detail and consistent dedication to his on-site and college work. Daviot Group, which recently rebranded from Daviot Farms Ltd, employed Steven in 2012 as part of their strategy to support the development of young people in theHighlands and to build a team of homegrown plant maintenance experts. Steven, who comes from Avoch, attends the NCC College in Glasgow in four-week blocks, spending the rest of his time learning his trade at Daviot’s base in Inverness. He has now completed his SVQ III in Construction, Plant Maintenance and Repairs. Now in their 16th year, the SBATC Apprenticeship Awards are organised by the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) to recognise the considerable talents, skills and abilities of construction apprentices working across Scotland. The awards assess candidates according to their practical and academic ability alongside other important skills such as organisation, communication and the ability to perform in a team. It rounds up a successful 12 months for Steven, who was the Scottish regional winner in the UK wide “Stars of the Future” awards from the National Construction College (NCC) earlier this year.  He also went on to be named best second year plant maintenance student for the NCC in Scotland. Steven said: “I was delighted to attend the ceremony at the Scottish Parliament, and to win the award was the icing on the cake. “I would just like to thank Daviot Group who have supported me through my practical and education learning. It’s a real honor to be recognised in this way.” Charlie Veitch, Chief Operating Officer at Daviot Group, said: “We are very proud of Steven, who has really made the best of every opportunity that has been put in front of him. “Steven works on a huge variety of jobs from vans, jeeps and heavy goods vehicles to a whole range of small and large pieces of plant, and the effort he puts intocompleting every job to a high standard is commendable. “Investing in apprenticeships is a key strategy for Daviot Group as with over eight million pounds worth of plant based projects across the UK, it is vital that Daviot Group has strong, highly trained maintenance crew both here at our depot in Inverness and available to go on the road and attend vehicles and plant where necessary. “We currently have a number apprentices working for Daviot Group and we are looking to expand that further in 2016 to support our continued growth as a leadingspecialist engineer company.”