An East Dunbartonshire Council apprentice has been shortlisted in the final of the APSE National Apprentice of the Year Awards.

Paul Don, a 21-year-old second-year Construction Management apprentice, will discover how he has fared against UK-wide opposition at the awards ceremony next month.

He was previously named Student of the Year while achieving his HNC in Building Services Engineering at North Glasgow College. With two university places open to him, Mr Don decided instead to embark on a four-year apprenticeship with the council.

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Council Leader Rhondda Geekie said: "Paul is a remarkable young man who has thrown himself fully into his new role and everyone who has worked with him has been struck by his positivity and hard work. To be selected from a UK-wide field is no mean feat and I wish him well for the final stages."

Speaking on his nomination, Mr Don added: "I was never sure that full-time education was the right route for me and when I heard about the Council's Modern Apprenticeship I thought I could enjoy the mix of working, learning on the job and studying – while getting paid of course.

"I have loved my first year and can't believe the scale and variety of projects I've been involved with, including working on flagship projects like new schools and a community centre. My colleagues and bosses are really supportive and it's great being part of a team. I know I've made the right choice and am very excited to be up for this award."

(LM/CD)