Midlothian Council workers shortlisted for apprentice awards

Jonathan Gordon was a finalist in the Rising Star category of the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) Roads, Street Lighting and Winter Maintenance Apprentice Awards 2016 in Newcastle.

Meanwhile, colleague Mathew Nisbet was shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year category.

Midlothian Council’s head of commercial operations, Ricky Moffat, praised the two young men for their efforts.

He said: “Well done to both Jonathan and Mathew. Their accolades are well deserved.

“Both of them have shown great commitment, drive and enthusiasm.

“They are highly valued members of our roads team with great futures ahead of them.”

Mathew said he was really please to be shortlisted.

He said: “It’s a good experience to go to the awards in Newcastle.

“I’m going to take my career as far as possible.”

Jonathan, who is an operations technician, said he was surprised at his nomination.

He plans to continue working towards becoming an Incorporated Engineer.

The Apprentice and Rising Star awards are specific to frontline service areas and support excellence in training standards within local authorities and their partner organisations throughout the UK.

The APSE local authority awards scheme is open to candidates from all stages of training and has been running successfully for 13 years throughout the UK.

The aim of the awards is not only to give recognition to future tradespersons and professionals, but also to the councils themselves who continue to invest in the workforce of the future and provide training and employment initiatives via modern apprenticeship and trainee schemes.