Rian scoops the title of Wholesaler Apprentice of the Year at 2019 SELECT Awards
Posted by: electime 17th October 2019
The increasingly high standard and technical complexity of electrical distribution was put in the spotlight on Friday (October 11) when one of its young stars took a major title at the sector’s most important awards ceremony.
Rian Keegan, 20, from East Kilbride, was named as Electrical Distributors’ Association (Scottish Section) Wholesaler Apprentice of the Year 2019, an award category which was introduced only two years ago.
Winner Rian said: “There was a huge response for the apprentice post with CEF and I am very grateful to them, and the teams I work with, for showing faith in me and giving me this great chance.
“After successfully completing my apprenticeship in Warehousing and Storage, I was delighted to be offered a permanent Sales Assistant role at CEF in Glasgow. To win this award is an enormous incentive for me, and I plan to take every opportunity to progress my career in electrical wholesaling.”
Rian’s award was presented by Angela Devine, Apprenticeship Account Manager at EDA Apprenticeships Plus, and Andrew Burt, Chair of the EDA Scottish Section and MD of Glasgow-based AIB Electrical Wholesale Ltd. EDA Apprenticeships Plus, who also sponsored the awards, manages the Association’s UK-wide apprenticeship programme.
Alan Wilson, SELECT Managing Director, added “Wholesalers are the essential link in the supply chain between the manufacturers of electro-technical products and electricians who install them.
“Just like the installing sector, wholesalers need a steady supply of talented individuals, like Rian, coming through and showing enthusiasm and dedication.”
John Henry, Managing Director of EDA Apprenticeships Plus, said, “Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity to attract new talent to your team. Scotland is one of the top performers for take-up of the EDA’s service and there’s a rich source of talent out there ready to be harnessed.
“Our winner, Rian, faced tough competition in the finals from Lewis Connor, of Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors, Stuart Farmer and Connor Grant, both of CEF, and Danny Jones of Edmundson Electrical Ltd.”
Rian’s manager at CEF’s Glasgow city centre branch, Andy Thomson, said: “Rian showed a great work ethic and adapted to his role very quickly, demonstrating a real can-do approach and a willingness to go the extra mile.”
The evening was hosted by popular radio and television personality Shereen Nanjiani and was attended by more than 350 guests from a wide spectrum of companies, ranging from major electrical enterprises to local firms, illustrating the diversity and strength of Scotland’s electrical sector.
Founded in 1900, SELECT is Scotland’s largest trade association. It has nearly 1,250 member businesses who collectively have an annual turnover of around £1billion and employ over 15,000 people and 3,500 apprentices. SELECT also delivers training courses to more than 3,500 electricians each year and is committed to regulation of the industry for a safer Scotland.
The organisation helps to shape the market environment by representing the industry to all levels of government and helps to influence legislation in order to create industry conditions which enable member firms to provide a quality service and to maintain their profitability.
