Carnegie Construction Student Joins Elite Group of Apprentices

Apprentice Joiner John McRitchie (24) from Crossford in Dunfermline has just become the first student from Scotland to be given a place on the prestigious Prince of Wales’s Building Craft Apprenticeship programme. John explained “Just before Christmas one of the tutors gave out leaflets to the class about The Prince of Wales’s Building Craft Apprenticeship programme. He thought I had the right type of skills to apply, so I sent away my portfolio of details and photos of college work, including projects I had done over the past two years. This must have impressed the judges as I was asked to go down to London for an interview.” Tutor Fraser Walker picked up the story “The Prince of Wales’s Building Craft Apprenticeship programme was launched in 2006 to address the growing skills shortage in traditional building crafts such as wood, stone, plaster and brickwork. I had been impressed by the skills John had shown on his course and knew he had the ability and motivation to make the most of an opportunity like this, so I encouraged him to apply”. John went on to say “The training I’m getting at Carnegie covers all aspects of the trade, which has given me a good mix of skills. Training for apprentices in England only focuses on one aspect of the trade. I’m also studying two evenings a week at Carnegie for an HNC Construction, so I‘m learning about the technical and administrative side of the industry as well as the practical.” An elated John concluded “It will be hard being away from my partner and wee girl for eight months, but they know I’m doing this for all our futures. I hope eventually to start my own business, building houses in a traditional and sustainable style and I’ll be making sure that anyone I employ will have received the same standard of training as I have had at Carnegie.” Assistant Head of School for Built Environment, Dave Spence said “Everyone here is delighted that the first successful Scottish applicant to be taken on this prestigious eight month vocational training programme is a Carnegie College student, particularly as only 11 places were available. In addition to the work placements and practical projects John will undertake, when the programme ends, he will also be the first student in Scotland to gain the new VQ Level 3 in Heritage Skills. He deserves his place on this programme, having shown a commitment and understanding of the importance of continuing with learning despite the setback he faced. Indeed, it was thanks to this commitment that he has been given the opportunity of a lifetime.”