Orkney bricklayer is top apprentice in Scotland

William Bradley, 19,  from Westray has been named Apprentice of the Year and awarded the James Birnie Award for Craft Excellence at the 2013 SBATC Apprenticeship Awards.

William received the award at a special ceremony at the Scottish Parliament earlier this week. The coveted title is awarded annually to Scotland’s best traditional craft apprentices undertaking a four-year SVQ Level 3 programme.

William, who is studying brickwork at Orkney College, moved from his home island of Westray to Kirkwall in 2011 to secure an apprenticeship.

Since then, he has been described as the “perfect apprentice” by former employer R.S. Rendall Building Contractors. William recently moved back to Westray to begin working for Daniel Harcus Construction, a building company based on the island.