Katy Morris, 22 , who works at Cowal Building & Plumbing Supplies Ltd (Dunoon Depot) won the Award, which acknowledges exceptional candidates enrolled on the BMF Apprenticeship Scheme, for her outstanding achievements and ‘can do’ attitude.

Katy was presented with her certificate and a cheque for £250 by Ian Gray, chairman of BMF Scotland, at Deep Sea World, North Queensferry. Stewart.G.Shaw (Jnr) Director of Cowal & Incoming NBG (National Buying Group) Northern Region Chairman , accompanied her for a unique opportunity to dive with the sharks at the centre as part of her prize.

Stewart said: “Katy started working here straight after she finished school, initially in an administration role. We all soon realised she had lots of ambition and potential to move on to customer facing and financial roles within our business . We enrolled Katy on the BMF Apprenticeship Scheme as the first step and also to allow her to gain a recognised qualification.

“The Scheme is funded by the BMF and it allows local independent merchants to offer a formal structured training programme, which is attractive to those just starting out in a career. We try to enrol as many employees as We can because it’s an excellent training tool as well as a great way to learn as Katy’s success has proven.”

Chris Pateman BMF managing director said: “For too long the building supplies industry in the UK has suffered from a false poor image, which has hampered its ability to attract and retain the brightest and best young talent. We want to ensure that talented and committed apprentices are given the recognition they rightly deserve. The merchant industry’s future will be assured through the development of young people such as Katy.”

The BMF has secured further funding in Scotland for apprenticeship places, which result in recognised national qualifications and offer trainees industry specific training delivered by skilled and experienced trainers.