2026 sees our 54th year of being in business. Even from the beginnings, George Nicolson himself was aware of the importance of apprenticeships within the workplace.
2026 also marks our 24th year of holding our Apprentice Of The Year Awards. Our very first apprentice was Freddie Blues who sadly is no longer with us. It is fitting we remember him through the trophy which is now known as the Freddie Blues Memorial Award which is presented to the winner each year. For 2025, the nominated Winner was Peter Hamilton. We also presented a Special Recognition Award to a second apprentice as he too had also done exceptionally well and also received a good share of the votes over the last couple of years. The Special Recognition Award went to Liam Donoghue. We are delighted that both individuals are now serving their first years as a Tradesperson with us.
Year on year, the company has consistently encouraged and focused on the training and development of all our young people throughout their apprenticeship journey. Thus allowing each individual to progress and achieve their goals. So much so, we can proudly disclose that a total of 19 employees right throughout the company (ranging from Directors, Senior Management to Site Operatives) have served their apprenticeships with us.
Pictured to the left are our current apprentices: Nathan, Sam and Tierney.
We will also commence with our annual apprentice recruitment campaign in the Spring. If you or someone you know is interested in a Painting & Decorating Apprenticeship with us, please keep an eye out on our website and other social media at this time for forthcoming opportunities.
With the Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026 now underway during 2nd – 6th March 2026, we can celebrate the benefits modern apprenticeships can bring to our businesses as well as the individuals and the economy itself. Apprenticeships create the skills every generation needs and every employer wants. This week shines a spotlight on the power of apprenticeships to create careers, build businesses, grow the workforce and get real returns for the economy.
There are currently around 12,000 apprentice employers in Scotland, investing in over 40,000 Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices.
For more information about Scottish Apprenticeships, help to recruit or the latest vacancies, visit Apprenticeships.scot.
#ScotAppWeek26
