Ayrshire College was delighted to welcome James Frew Ltd its Ayr Campus for the ‘Beat the Boss’ apprentice challenge, a fantastic example of partnership working between industry and education. 

 

The event, which has been running successfully for the past few years, seen Roddy Frew, Managing Director at James Frew Ltd, and members of the Senior Management Team go head-to-head with new apprentices in a series of practical challenges. This year, six new plumbing and joinery apprentices took part in a day designed to test their skills, build teamwork, and strengthen relationships between management and apprentices. 

 

Ayrshire College was proud to once again provide the venue and support for this exciting competition. This year’s participants were all Ayrshire College apprentices, highlighting the College’s continued commitment not only to hosting such events, but to developing the skills and confidence of its own students. The collaboration with James Frew Ltd offers apprentices a valuable opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders in a practical, team-focused environment. An experience that strengthens their learning and prepares them for successful careers in the trades. 

 

The Challenges 

This year’s Beat the Boss featured three hands-on challenges designed to test both skill and creativity: 

  •  Straw Bridge Challenge – Teams constructed bridges using only straws and masking tape to see which design could hold the most weight. 

  • Pipe Bending Challenge – Apprentices and bosses competed to bend copper piping to a perfect 90-degree angle to match a precise template. 

  • Lock and Hinge Challenge – Testing joinery precision and attention to detail, competitors fitted locks and hinges against the clock. 

 

The friendly rivalry made for an energetic atmosphere, with plenty of laughs and teamwork on display throughout the day. 

 

Cameron Bell, Head of Learning & Skills: Construction Technology, Trades and Renewables at Ayrshire College, said: 

“We’re thrilled to once again host the Beat the Boss challenge here at Ayrshire College. Events like this highlight the strength of our partnership with James Frew Ltd and the importance of giving apprentices opportunities to apply their skills in a fun, competitive environment. It’s fantastic to see new apprentices already demonstrating the enthusiasm and ability that will help them thrive in their careers.” 

Roddy Frew, Managing Director at James Frew Ltd, added: 

“The Beat the Boss competition is a brilliant way for our senior team to connect with new apprentices. It’s informal, engaging, and shows our shared commitment to learning, teamwork and quality craftsmanship. The talent we’ve seen today is very encouraging; our apprentices are clearly ones to watch! Thank you to Ayrshire College for all the work behind the scenes.” 

Taylor McCluskey, first year apprentice joiner who took part in the event said: 

“It was great taking on the bosses! The tasks were challenging but we enjoyed it. It’s been a good way to meet everyone and test our skills.” 

After a successful day, it became clear that the bosses may have some competition on their hands with the apprentices managing to tie with management on several challenges. The future looks bright for these apprentices, who are already showing the skills, determination, and potential to become the next generation of industry leaders.