A YOUNG Alexandria woman has been named as Apprentice of the Year at a prestigious UK awards ceremony.

Apprentice electrician Pamela Duffy won the First Year Trade Apprentice of the Year title at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) 2017 Awards.

The 20-year-old is in the second year of her apprenticeship with West Dunbartonshire Council and received the honour at the awards ceremony in Dunblane in recognition of her achievements in her first year in the job.

The APSE Scotland Building and Housing Apprentice of the Year Awards are specific to front line service areas and support excellence in training standards within local authorities and their partner organisations.

Speaking about her win Pamela said: “I’m thrilled to have won this award and I hope to continue doing good work as I progress through my apprenticeship. Working as part of the Building Services team at West Dunbartonshire Council is great fun as well as being a brilliant way to learn on the job.

"And it just goes to show that traditional trade skills are not just for boys – girls can also do any job they want.”

Pamela has been working on site in Dumbarton as part of the Council’s ongoing renovation of its housing stock.

Councillor David McBride, convener for Housing and Communities, said: “Pamela has done outstanding work and it is wonderful to see her given recognition by an organisation such as APSE.

"We are always pleased to see local people providing first-class work in the community and Pamela is a great example of how young people can make the most of the opportunities available through the Modern Apprentice scheme. It’s an excellent achievement and we look forward to seeing Pamela complete her studies and qualify as an electrician.”

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, Vice-Convener for Housing and Communities, added: “The Council’s Modern Apprenticeships Programme has benefitted many local young people and also the Council, through the excellent work that they carry out both while in training and when they fully qualify.

"I would like to congratulate Pamela and her team on this achievement and wish her all the very best for the future.”

The Modern Apprenticeships Programme is designed to give apprentices the skills they need for a job in one of many industries. As well as traditional apprenticeships in the construction trade, there are also apprenticeships available in hospitality, youth work, leisure and many other areas.

For more information on the Council’s Modern Apprentice scheme, visit http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/apprenticeships