Thomas Ritchie - a joiner with South Lanarkshire Council - has triumphed as Apprentice of the Year in a national competition.

Thomas, 21, from Uddingston, joined the council four years ago as an apprentice with Housing and Technical Resources. During this period, he has worked within the Maintenance Team and also as a member of the Rutherglen Business Unit.

He passed all his college work - at Level II, Level III and Advance Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery - at first attempt and passed his skills test with a total of 33 points from a possible maximum of 35 points and is now a fully-qualified joiner.

The final hurdle he overcame to collect his trophy as Britain’s public sector apprentice of the year was when he and three other candidates were interviewed in the Male Building Skills category for by a judging panel at the Association for Public Sector Service Excellence awards, held in Cardiff. But it was Thomas who ultimately emerged as the overall winner

He said: “It was a bit nerve-wracking towards the end, but I knew that the knowledge and skills I developed during my apprenticeship with South Lanarkshire Council stood me in good stead.

“My apprenticeship has also helped me to develop my problem-solving and communications skills - I have to communicate with customers, colleagues and managers on-site to ensure that either I or the team I work in meet our required objectives.

“I am grateful for all the support I have been given throughout my training and especially to all the tradesmen I have worked with over the past four years because - without them - I would not be where I am today. It is a privilege to call them colleagues now that I’ve finished my apprenticeship”.

Councillor Alex McInnes, Chair, Housing and Technical Resources Committee, commented: “South Lanarkshire Council puts the highest emphasis on customer service and Thomas’ achievement demonstrates our commitment through our training programmes to delivering quality service.”