Kristopher Fraser, a third year apprentice plumber with Clackmannanshire Council, was a finalist in the prestigious APSE Apprentice of the Year Award.

The APSE (Scotland) building and housing apprentice of the year awards 2009 were held in March at Peebles Hydro.

While Kristopher (18) did not win the overall award, he was highly praised by the judging panel and presented with a trophy.

Kristopher's mother Gail Fraser, her partner Kenny McEwan and his younger brother Connor also attended the event.

The event in Peebles brought together Scotland's brightest young apprentices and winners were announced in six categories.


Kristopher joined Clackmannanshire Council in August 2006. His ambition to become a plumber started at a young age, and he is following in his father's footsteps.

Kristopher attends Forth Valley College as part of his apprenticeship and he is working towards his SVQ Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Plumbing. In 2007 he won the college's award for best 1st year apprentice.

The Council's Property Contracts nominated Kristopher as our representative at the awards and the Training and Learning Centre submitted a comprehensive portfolio on Kristopher's first two years as an apprentice to APSE's scrutiny panel. The Training and Learning Centre organises the training at College for the craft apprentices, registers them with the appropriate apprenticeship bodies and reviews their progress both at college and in the workplace, throughout their four year training period.

Kristopher is from Tillicoultry and attended Alva Academy where he particularly enjoyed Art & Design, Graphic Communication and Craft & Design. His aim is to become a fully qualified plumber. Away from work, Kristopher enjoys the gym and martial arts.

(GK/JM)