A CUMNOCK apprentice has scooped a top award from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Apprentice plant fitter, Craig Salmond, 20 an Apprentice Plant Fitter for Hargreaves Surface Mining Ltd (HSML) has been proven to be one of the best in the country after being named among the top three across Scotland at the National Construction College Apprentice award ceremony near Inchinnan recently and received his accolade from former athlete Allan Wells.

The National Construction College is the largest training provider of its kind in Europe - supporting over 26,000 individuals every year including over 700 apprentices.

Each year, the annual Apprentice Awards ceremonies, celebrate the success of those apprentices who have made an outstanding contribution to their studies and have demonstrated a real commitment to kick starting their successful careers.

Cumnock lad Craig, who works at the Duncanziemere site, has just completed the third of the four year programme and humbly admits that he is really pleased to be recognised.

He said: “I just try and do the best I can but it’s good to know that my work has been recognised.

“The guys I work with have been magic and have played a big part in me getting this award and I owe them a lot.

“The last 12 months have been tough with the uncertainty over my future but when Hargreaves stepped in to take over it was a huge boost, especially when I know I’ll get the chance to complete my apprenticeship.” Graeme Hindmarsh, Production Director for Hargreaves Surface Mining said: “Craig has done extremely well to be named one of the top three plant fitting apprentices in Scotland and is true reward for all the hard work he has done.

“We are really proud of what he has achieved and that we have been able to support such a talented young man during this important part of his chosen career.”