A talented young electrician from a SELECT Member firm has been recognised for her “outstanding” skill, dedication and professionalism after being named Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) Apprentice of the Year 2026.
Katie Munro of Ross-Shire Engineering (RSE) Ltd took home this year’s top title after impressing judges with her exceptional technical ability, commitment to excellence and determination to succeed throughout her apprenticeship.
The 25-year-old, from Inverness, received her trophy from SJIB Chair Jock Simpson during a ceremony in Edinburgh on Wednesday 14 October, where guests gathered to celebrate the next generation of Scotland’s electrical talent.
Held in conjunction with Edmundson Electrical, Katie was also presented with a £1,000 voucher as part of her prize, recognising her achievement in a highly competitive field of finalists.
Catherine Gillon, Secretary of the SJIB and Director of Employment Relations at SELECT, said: “Every year, the SJIB Apprentice of the Year Awards showcase the exceptional talent being developed across Scotland’s electrical industry, and Katie is a truly deserving winner.
“Throughout her apprenticeship, she has demonstrated outstanding technical competence, professionalism and commitment to continuous improvement. Achieving a Final Integrated Competence Assessment (FICA) score of 98.33% is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects the high standards she sets for herself in everything she does.
“As well as excelling in her training and workplace responsibilities, Katie has also been a fantastic ambassador for the profession, helping to promote careers in the electrical industry and encouraging greater participation from women considering a career in engineering and construction.
“Her success highlights the vital contribution apprentices make to our industry and to Scotland’s future workforce as we continue to build the skills needed to support economic growth and the transition to net zero.”
Katie completed her apprenticeship with Inverness College UHI, initially under the guidance of SECTT Training Officer Mike Campbell and latterly by Iain Lamont.
She said: “I am delighted to have won this award. Completing my apprenticeship has been very rewarding and I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received along the way.
“It means a lot to be recognised by the SJIB, especially given the high standard of apprentices across the industry. I’d like to thank everyone at RSE, my lecturers at Inverness College UHI and my SECTT training officers for their encouragement and support throughout my apprenticeship.
“I hope my success encourages more women to consider a career in the electrical industry because it offers fantastic opportunities and a rewarding future.”
Mike Campbell, who is now Apprentice Programme Manager at RSE, said Katie’s achievement came as no surprise to those who had worked alongside her.
The Inverness and North of Scotland Branch Chair said: “Everyone at RSE is incredibly proud of Katie and all that she has achieved throughout her apprenticeship.
“She brings a fantastic attitude to everything she does, works hard in both practical and academic settings and has shown a real commitment to becoming a highly skilled electrician.”
This year’s competition also saw Joe Boddie, 22, from Fochabers, and 21-year-old Lewis Hainey, from Auchterarder, named as finalists.
Joe works for SELECT Member firm McDonald & Munro Ltd and studied at Moray College UHI under Training Officers Mike Bruce and Craig Wallace, while Lewis works for SELECT Member FES Ltd and trained at Forth Valley College’s Alloa campus under Training Officer Ryan Slessor.
All three finalists were presented with gift vouchers by Edmundson Electrical, whose continued support helps recognise and celebrate the industry’s most promising apprentices.
Derek Allan of Edmundson Electrical, said: “Katie, Joe and Lewis have all demonstrated the high level of talent, commitment and professionalism that exists within Scotland’s electrical apprenticeship programme, and they should be extremely proud of their achievements.
“Katie’s success is particularly impressive and reflects the dedication she has shown throughout her apprenticeship. The standard of this year’s competition has once again been exceptional, which underlines the strength of the industry’s future workforce.
“At Edmundson Electrical, we are proud to continue supporting the SJIB Apprentice of the Year Awards and helping to recognise the next generation of skilled electricians who will play such an important role in Scotland’s economy and net zero ambitions.”Back to Top
A talented young electrician has been rewarded for his “unprecedented enthusiasm” after being chosen as the winner of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) Apprentice of the Year, in conjunction with Edmundson Electrical.
Scott Ahern, from East Kilbride in Lanarkshire, managed to see off an exceptional field of emerging electrical talent to lift the 2024 trophy after impressing the SJIB panel of judges.
SJIB Chair Jock Simpson also presented the 27-year-old with a voucher for £1,000 at the awards ceremony in the Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood on October 9, at which Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon was the guest speaker.
Catherine Gillon, the recently-appointed Secretary of the SJIB, said: “Apprentices are the great hope for the sector’s future and the SJIB Apprentice of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the very best of our new talent. “At a time when more and more young people are choosing the electrical industry as a career, Scott has triumphed in an extremely close field after showing an unprecedented degree of commitment, dedication and enthusiasm.”
Catherine, who is also Director of Employment Affairs at SELECT, added: “This accolade also recognises the contribution that Scott and his fellow apprentices will make in our transition to net zero and the electrification of society. “As technology continues to advance and electrical installation becomes ever more complex, Scott and his peers will go forward as an elite band of professionals who will hold the smooth running of the future in their hands.”
Scott, who works for DRB UK Maintenance Ltd in Hamilton, completed his studies at New College Lanarkshire’s Motherwell Campus under the watchful eye of Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) Training Officer Gordon Penman.
He said: “My electrical apprenticeship has been very challenging but also extremely rewarding, so this award is the icing on the cake and makes all the hard work worthwhile.
“It was a huge surprise – but also a huge honour – to be selected from among my fellow apprentices, many of whom I know to be really talented professionals who have a great future in front of them.
“There is no doubt that I owe this award to the continuing support of my employers, lecturers and trainers who have been endlessly patient with me, and to everyone whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with and learn from in recent years.”
Jason Boyle, Electrical Project Manager at DRB UK, said: “Scott has worked long and hard over the course of his apprenticeship and very much deserves his place in the spotlight.
“He is dedicated to his profession and is a perfect example of the quick, skilful and effective people we want to see coming into the industry and taking it forward into a new era.” The competition also saw vouchers presented to finalists Jake Stewart, 22, from Dundee, who works for Monifieth-based Kevin Black Electrical Contractors, and Sean Bermingham, 33, from Strathpeffer, who works for Inverness-based Ross-shire Engineering Ltd.
Jake carried out his studies at Dundee and Angus College, under SECTT Training Officer David Stebbings, while Sean completed his training at the University of the Highlands and Islands Inverness College under the watchful eye of SECTT Training Officer Graham Keil.
All three finalists were also presented with top-of-the-range Megger multi-function testers by Stuart Minty, Regional Key Account Manager at Edmundson Electrical.
Derek Allen, Scottish Regional Director of Edmundson Electrical, said: “Scott and his fellow finalists have every reason to be proud of their achievements, which reflects the hard work and dedication demonstrated throughout their apprenticeships.
“Thanks should also go to the SJIB and SELECT for continuing to promote the ongoing importance of electrical apprenticeships, and the training officers from SECTT who help develop the talent of tomorrow on a day-to-day basis.” Founded in 1969 by SELECT and Unite the Union, the SJIB’s duties include regulating between employers and employees, providing benefits for people engaged in the industry and stimulating industry progress. In addition, it has oversight of employment, skills and proficiency, health and safety competence, wages and welfare benefits across the electrical industry in Scotland. Edmundson Electrical is an electrical wholesaler that serves Scotland from more than 37 locations. Its customer base includes electrical contractors and engineers, industrial companies, facilities management, government agencies and local authorities. · An interview with Scott will appear in the December edition of cabletalk.
At a time when demand for qualified electrical professionals has never been higher, SELECT in conjunction with the SJIB and UNITE, have launched a free online resource to help Members source key personnel.
The easy-to-use jobs board will allow Member firms to advertise vacancies directly on the front page of the SELECT website, including the full job description and details of who to contact to find out more.
The new tool has already been widely welcomed by employers in an industry which has been facing significant skills shortages, fuelled by the fact that electricity and electrotechnology underpin every aspect of modern Scottish society.
The industry in the UK employs more than 208,000 people and, according to the Latest Market Intelligence published by the Electrotechnical Skills Partnership, sector growth will require an additional 33,000 workers by 2027.
SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson said: “In an industry which makes possible every facet of day-to-day life, from the internet to cars, hospitals, homes and businesses, maintaining and improving the skills of the people who keep the lights on is assuming a primary importance.
“The next generation of electricians will enjoy access to a world of exciting technology, including the Internet of Things, which will revolutionise the way we live, so it is vital that we have a working population that understands it.
“The jobs board, which has been developed over six months in conjunction with the Scottish Joint Industry Board and Unite the Union, is designed to act as an additional outlet for Members who may already be advertising for staff elsewhere, to help them recruit suitably qualified operatives.”
During its first few weeks of operation, Member firms across Scotland have submitted a number of vacancies for staff including electricians, fixed wiring testing and inspecting engineer, E&M electrical craftsperson and trainee quantity surveyor.
To ensure the widest reach, the board has been made public, with SELECT only hosting vacancies for Members and all applications made directly to the relevant firm.
Iain Mason, Director of Membership & Communications at SELECT, said: “The board has been created in response to Member demand, with a number of firms asking us to create a resource to help them find suitable operatives during the ongoing skills shortage.
“The response so far has been very positive and we will continue to monitor the board’s performance and respond to Member feedback in the meantime.”
The new board can be viewed here.
Catherine Gillon, a highly accomplished human resources (HR) professional with almost 30 years’ experience, has been appointed Secretary of the SJIB and Director of Employment Affairs at SELECT.
Most recently HR Business Partner for EDF Energy at Torness power station, Catherine’s role with the SJIB and SELECT will encompass delivering expert employment guidance to Members, shaping industry policies and liaising with trade unions.
A Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD), she will also provide HR support to the SELECT Management Team as well as contributing to strategic planning and upholding the association’s values and customer service principles.
Catherine has honed her expertise across multiple industries, including house building, healthcare, finance and the nuclear power sector. Her diverse career has allowed her to excel in various HR roles, from recruitment and talent management to employee relations and organisational development.
She said: “This extensive background has provided me with a robust understanding of industry-specific challenges and the ability to implement effective HR strategies tailored to each unique environment.
“I am passionate about driving positive organisational change and supporting workforce development to achieve both employee satisfaction and business success.
“Specifically, I want to help SJIB and SELECT Members overcome challenges by providing up-to-date training and certification, facilitating networking opportunities and advocating for favourable industry policies, as well as offering essential resources and tools, professional development programs and conflict resolution services.”
Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “In Catherine we have an outstanding professional with a highly distinguished background in all aspects of human resources.
“We are delighted that she has agreed to join us in our mission to highlight to the entire community in Scotland and beyond the significance of the electrotechnical sector to both society and the economy and its growing importance in a world where the future is electric.”
