College students earn John Mather Awards
Over 250 former Ayrshire College students collected their prizes at the 15th John Mather Trust Awards, held at the Riverside Lodge Hotel in Irvine on Wednesday 6 March.
The John Mather Trust rewards Ayrshire College graduates who have learned a trade and gone into employment, an apprenticeship or set up their own business within the past year.
Those fortunate enough to be eligible for a John Mather award received a set of tools of the trade to help them in their careers.
This year the John Mather Trust Awards ceremony took place during Scottish Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March) - a campaign that celebrates the benefits that apprentices bring to businesses, individuals and the economy.
The popular event is a celebration of the students’ success and gives their family, friends and employers the opportunity to share their pride in their efforts.
This year, students from: aeronautical, engineering and renewables, horticulture, motor vehicle, trades, beauty therapy, complementary therapies, hairdressing, make-up artistry and hospitality - all received tools of the trade.
Those who attended the ceremony heard from guest speakers Stephen McNab, Apprentice Leader at GE Caledonian who congratulated the award recipients and said “the calibre of apprentices from Ayrshire College increases year on year. They make the difference to our business, indeed they are the future of our business.”
John Mather set up the Trust in 1996 to help young people in the West of Scotland get started in their trade. Since then, over a thousand students at Ayrshire College have benefitted from the generosity of the Trust.
John left school at 16 and started his working life in the accounts department of the Clyde Navigation Trust in 1953. He later went on to become company chairman of Clydeport and built up a personal wealth of several million pounds.
Carol Turnbull, Principal of Ayrshire College, said “This event is an inspiring occasion as it lets us celebrate the skills of our talented students with their families, friends and the employers they now work for. We would like to thank the John Mather Trust for giving so generously to our students once again.”
View the photos from the award ceremony here.
11 March 2019
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