Ewan Buxton was a double winner at Inverness College UHI's recent annual construction and forestry prize-giving ceremony.

He received the Morrison Construction Rosebowl Award as best overall carpentry and joinery student and the Highland Building Employers Association Award as best overall student in the construction school.

The accolades add to the many awards 27-year-old Ewan has received during his apprenticeship at Inverness College.

He was named Scotland's Traditional Apprentice of the Year in the over-20 category at the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards and was Scottish and British winner of the Carpenters Craft Competition, run by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters and the Institute of Carpenters.

Ewan, who works for construction firm G.D. Gray Joiners and Builders in Nethy Bridge, also has a university degree in design, and previously worked for a design consultancy in London.

The star apprentice said: "Joinery is something I have always been interested in and I did my work experience as a joiner when I was at school, but instead of doing an apprenticeship, I ended up staying on for Fifth and Sixth Year at school and went to university instead.

"After graduating, I considered doing a joinery apprenticeship, but decided to accept the job in London instead.

"After working there for a year-and-a-half, I was sure that I wanted to be a joiner and decided to come back up north.

"As a mature student, I was a little apprehensive about going back into education, but as soon as the course started I loved it, and I had a good time with the other apprentices – some of whom were older than me anyway."

Angus Macleod MBE (left), Ewan Buxton (centre) and Inverness College principal, John Spencer.

Angus Macleod MBE, head of the School of Construction and Forestry at Inverness College, said: "We were delighted to present Ewan and the other award-winners with their prizes in recognition of their dedication and hard work during their studies.

Local construction award-winners 2006/07 are as follows:

College-awarded certificates – awarded for outstanding achievement: Plumbing SVQ Level 3 Third Year – awarded to Christopher MacBean of Aviemore (Employer: S.A. Borthwick Ltd, Ardbroilach Road, Kingussie).

Special awards: Chartered Institute of Building Certificate of Excellence – awarded to the student with the most outstanding performance in HNC Construction Management: Charlotte Houldcroft of Aviemore.

Chartered Institute of Building, Highlands and Islands Centre Cup – awarded to the best overall HNC student: Stephen Gordon of Boat of Garten.

musgrove_g@spp-group.com

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