Bo'ness apprentice reaches Screwfix final

Raymond Stirling has reached the virtual final of the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2021 competition. Picture by Stewart Attwood.

A plastering apprentice from Bo’ness has earned a place in the final of this year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition.

Raymond Stirling (28) applied for the competition during lockdown and highlighted his success in a national skills award as a key reason why he should make the final. He then impressed during the semi-final to make the top 10.

During the final on April 22 and 23 each finalist will go through a virtual interview conducted by a panel of industry experts from the Federation of Master Builders, National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting and Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering.

Each finalist will also participate in a bespoke event from Google Digital Garage to up-skill on digital marketing and social media strategy as well as writing for social media – vital training for when they start out their career. There will also be a product session from Google Nest.

Raymond said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for me – I can’t quite believe I am through to the final! I have excelled in my trade as much as possible, winning awards and competitions as well as working through my qualifications. I’d love to add this one to my collection as it would be recognition of my hard work and dedication to my plastering career.”

At the end of the two-day session, one apprentice will take home the prestigious title of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2021. Winning will open exciting opportunities for them to profile themselves to the trade and provide a platform to inspire future apprentices.

This year’s winner will receive the career-boosting trade bundle of £10,000 worth of tools, technology, and training to give them a kick-start to their career in the trade.

Simon Jackson Screwfix customer and digital director, said: “We’ve had a record number of entries this year from such a talented group of future tradespeople.

"Apprenticeships are vital to the trade and invaluable to the UK economy, and it certainly looks like we are in safe hands with the standard of the applications we’ve seen this year.

"We’re looking forward to spending some time with our finalists and seeing who will earn the title - good luck!”