Julius Garrett was named Scottish Craft Apprentice of the Year during the presentation of the HVACR Awards for Outstanding Achievement in a ceremony held at the headquarters of HVCA Scotland.
Mr Garrett, who is employed by Orkney Meat and a student at North Glasgow College, received his trophy - the David Kettles Cup - from HVCA president Bob Shelley.

In his address to the gathering, Mr Shelley noted that, in spite of the continuing recession, Scotland's apprentice recruitment levels in the current year were on a par with the previous 12 months.

'Equally heartening is the fact that there has been a distinct upturn in technician training - suggesting that employers are experiencing growth in demand for design work which, in turn, raises the prospect of increased installation and maintenance orders to come,' the president added.

'Perhaps we can take these as encouraging early signs that things are bottoming out at least, and that more prosperous days lie ahead.'

The full roll call of winners and runners-up is as follows:

Pipe Fitter Welder Apprentice of the Year: Liam Traynor, Truedeal Building Services (North Glasgow College). Runner-up: Dean Sidey, Scan Building Services (Telford College, Edinburgh).
Pipe Fitter Apprentice of the Year: Craig Girvan, Loganswell Mechanical Services (North Glasgow College). Runner-up: Iain Marr, Crown House Technologies (Telford College, Edinburgh).