(Pictured above left to right: Peter H, Kye H and Keiren N).
Andrew Scotland, Contracts Manager gave the following presentation:
“2022 was a special year. It was the year which saw Henderson & Paterson celebrate its 90th Anniversary and also the year that saw George Nicolson Decorators reach the milestone of 50 years. The company marked this special occasion with 5 prize draw raffles throughout the course of the year which all of you were entered into but unfortunately none of you were winners. But as they say, it is not the winning, it is the taking part which counts. Also throughout the year there were articles posted telling us in some detail about important former employees of the company. Articles covered George Nicolson and Bill Paterson, who was George’s partner in the beginning, (https://www.nicolson.co.uk/george-nicolson-bill-paterson/) Freddie Blues and Tam Blyth (https://www.nicolson.co.uk/freddie-blues-tam-blyth/) as well as other legends (https://www.nicolson.co.uk/legends/) who are sadly no longer with us but who played major rolls in not only forming the company, but in also raising it to where it is today. Hopefully you enjoyed reading the articles and now can out put a face to the names when these gentlemen are mentioned in the future.
2022 is the 21st year this Award has been presented and the 12th year it has been known as the Freddie Blues Memorial Award. For the benefit our new apprentices, Freddie was George Nicolson Decorator’s very first apprentice who is a hard act to follow. Freddie made it all the way Site Foreman so it is fitting that we remember Freddie through this Award.
Last year turned out to be a very good year for the company which was great considering the extremely difficult couple of years previously caused by the pandemic so credit to everyone for the hard work and input. 2022 saw us recruit Peter, Bailey and Marshall who we are pleased to say have all settled in well both on site and at college. Now if you cast your minds back to when Avril and I conducted your interviews. We explained to you that it was the company’s plan to grow its own workforce, to train and maintain to try and turn you into the best tradespeople you can be aswell as continue to train you through your first year as a tradesperson. This is still very much the case. We are providing you with all the tools necessary to fulfill this by sending you to college, bringing you in to the training rooms and by teaching you the same practical skills you require on site. It is up to you to seize this opportunity with both hands by working hard both at college and on site, by watching and listening and asking if you are unsure. Together with good attendance and timekeeping, each one of you have it in you to reach the goal of achieving that contract at the end of your apprenticeships, which is what everyone in this rooms wants to happen. At this moment in time,50% of the company’s employees have served their time with us (including the office staff) so it shows that our plan is working.
And now to the Awards. This year’s runner up for Apprentice Of The Year is Keiren N. This year is also going to see us recognise someone else. A third person will receive a special recognition award for someone who has done exceptionally well in their first year and also received a good share of the votes. This is the best any first year has achieved. The special recognition award goes to Peter H. Now to the winner who is Kye H. We would like to congratulate you all.”
Young people are a vital part of our dynamic workforce as they are ambitious, motivated and eager to learn from our experienced tradespeople. The ongoing encouragement, development and nurturing of the young talent we employ will ensure they are kept engaged, work up to their true potential and learn important life skills.
(Pictured above left to right: Ewan Nicolson, Peter H, Kye H, Keiren N, Andrew Scotland and Barrie Nicolson)
