Former Scottish international rugby player Kevin Bryce has converted his hard work training as a modern apprentice plumber at Forth Valley College, into an award winning result.
Kevin(33) from Alloa, was recently chosen as one of only 13 MAs by the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) in their Best Apprentice Plumber awards for 2021, in a recognition of the hard work and determination it takes to achieve the status of qualified plumber.
The campaigning trade association honoured a total of 13 apprentices from the 12 colleges in Scotland providing training and each one received a £100 voucher, but the greater prize was receiving not only the approbation of their peers and their mentors, but also the confirmation that the career choice they had made was comprehensively vindicated.
Kevin, especially, has returned to the trade he loves after an impressive six year career as a professional rugby player with Glasgow Warriors and gaining three Scotland caps – which included playing against the USA in the World Cup in 2015. The talented hooker’s other caps were against Canada and South Africa during a 2014 summer tour.
Before embarking on his rugby adventure, Kevin had started a plumbing apprenticeship, but was sacked by an employer who was unable to accommodate his regular away trips to play the sport. However, now that he has had to give up the game relatively early through injury, he decided to complete his training.
After contacting around 45 companies, he was eventually given a chance through Glasgow based H F Electrical and like so many rugby passes he received in the years gone by he seized it with both hands.
Now in his third year, Kevin, said: “I really love what I do and it does not feel like a job to me. I know there are some great plumbers in my class at Forth Valley College and I do feel a bit embarrassed receiving this prize at the age of 33. I really just want to be a good plumbing and heating engineer and to receive this recognition is a real big boost to my confidence.
“I hope I can also inspire other mature students to try and secure a Modern Apprenticeship, it is possible and age should not come into it, but you really have to work hard when you get the chance.
“The new Forth Valley College Falkirk Campus where I am based is well set up and has top of the range facilities. The lecturers are all really helpful too and the opportunity is also there to train up on the emerging new technologies, which is really important these days. I would definitely recommend it to those looking to train here for an apprenticeship.”
Steven Adams, a lecturer in FVC’s Department of Care, Sport and Construction, who has worked with Kevin throughout his time at College and Curriculum Manager Charles Cameron, have both supported and encouraged Kevin over the last two and a half years.
Steven, said: “Kevin fully deserves this recognition from SNIPEF as his dedication and hard work to his professional trade, has similarities to the efforts he put in throughout his impressive rugby career. He is an inspiration to other students and we are sure he will go on to have a great career as a plumbing and heating engineer.”
SNIPEF’s accolade for the future stars of the profession comes at a time when plumbing and heating is increasingly being seen as a pathway to a rewarding and satisfying working life, as well as affording the opportunity to make a valuable social contribution at a time of transition to net-zero carbon emissions.
Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, said: “The industry has always been very aware that its future lies in the skill and dedication of the people who are embarking on their careers at this turbulent time.
“It is extremely heartening that the sector, which was so badly hit by the shutdowns and subsequent restrictions of 2020, has built its apprenticeship numbers back up to where they were before the pandemic struck.
“This is a great tribute to employers in particular, for the faith they have demonstrated in our people, but also to the apprentices themselves, the colleges which nurture their ambitions and the organisations such as SNIPEF which wholeheartedly support them.”
Dale Thomson, Apprentice Training Manager for SNIPEF, said: “The Plumbing and Heating industry is open to all regardless of age, gender or ethnic origin. And, unlike a university further education, for which people may have to take out student loans, a plumbing apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification and for apprentices to earn while they learn.
“The industry and employers within the sector are always on the lookout for people with the right qualities – initiative, enthusiasm and willingness to learn – and if someone is attracted by the prospect, they could start here.”