Painting and decorating Modern Apprentice (MA) Kyle Cooper has booked himself a place in the final of one of the UK’s top industry competitions.
Kyle (19) from Auchterarder, who works for Gleneagles Hotel and spends one day a week studying at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus, brushed around 30 other young hopefuls aside as he won the Scottish heat of the Johnstone’s (Trade) Young Painter of the Year competition, which was held in City Building in Glasgow on 22 March.
His classmate Jamie Love (20) from Whitburn, an MA with West Lothian Council, also took part in the competition and narrowly missed out on a runner-up spot. Kyle will now progress onto the final which will be held in Birmingham in November.
Second year MA, Kyle, said: “Taking part in the competition was great. I was surprised to win, but I am looking forward to the finals in November. I am happy learning my trade with Gleneagles Hotel and at Forth Valley College, where the lecturers know how to teach and are always there when you need help. Painting and decorating is a good career as there are lots of jobs around and it is a great thing to fall back on.”
Jamie, also in his second year, said: “It was a great experience to take part in the competition and I hope I can take part in more in the future. I would recommend Forth Valley College to anyone who is thinking about an MA in painting and decorating. There are great opportunities in this business and it can lead to other things too.”
FVC Painting and Decorating Lecturer Graeme Williamson, said: “We are proud of both Kyle and Jamie. Kyle really has progressed well and it is great he is in the final.”
Colleague Kevin Bonner, added: “I think there is more to come from Kyle in the competition. He has big plans for his career and I am sure he will do well. Both he and Jamie did very well in the heat. A big well done to them both”
Pete McParland, Senior Technician Application Consultant at Johnstone’s Trade, said: “We know there’s heaps of young talent in every corner of the UK which is why we’re bringing back our Young Painter of the Year competition for the 13th year running!
“Skill-based competitions like these are such a great way of recognising and celebrating fantastic talent. They also give people who are just starting out in their careers a well-deserved confidence boost and a platform to shout about their work and set themselves apart from the competition.”