Apprentices from the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) have been recognised for their achievements at the National Construction College (NCC) Scaffolding Apprenticeship Awards.

The apprentices at NCC Scotland picked up 83 per cent of the nomination places for the awards, which are supported by the NASC, the national trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK.

Kyle Norwood and Richard Moir from Aberdeen-based Maritime Scaffolding both received runner-up prizes in the 1st Year Scaffolding Apprentice category. Aaron Tracey, an apprentice from Interserve Industrial Services and George Thomson, an apprentice with Cape Industrial Services, also won Year Two Runner Up prizes.

Not only did Struan Cunningham, an apprentice with MJD & Sons Scaffolding, win the 1st Year Scaffolding Apprentice award in 2012, he also scooped the Year Two award this year. He was also nominated for the NCC Scotland Apprentice of the Year.

Contracts director at MJD & Sons Scaffolding, Michael Dore, told Specification Online: “It proves that by taking on and training your own people you can survive and prosper in these current difficult times and at the same time give new people an opportunity in the industry. We have taken on many apprentices over the years and have had many success stories.”

NASC director of training, Dave Mosley, told the publication that it was “superb” to see NASC apprentices winning big at the NCC Apprentice awards.

“NASC is a great supporter of the apprenticeship scheme and believes it is an excellent way of maintaining a young and highly skilled scaffolding workforce,” added Mr Mosley.

Speakers at this year’s awards included Olympic Hurdler Colin Jackson and the former Celtic, Arsenal and West Ham footballer, John Hartson.