Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3–7 March 2025) is a national celebration of the vital role apprenticeships play in strengthening businesses, individuals, and the economy. At Bancon, we are proud to support the next generation of skilled professionals through our apprenticeship programs, helping them gain real-world experience while developing valuable trade expertise.
This year, we’re shining a spotlight on some of our talented apprentices—Josh Doane, Daniel Mackie, and Kerr Cosgrove—who are currently working on-site at Maidencraig and Lochside, as well as Lennon McColgan, a graduate apprentice in Quantity Surveying.
On-Site Learning: Developing Practical Skills
Josh (Apprentice Bricklayer), Daniel (Apprentice Painter), and Kerr (Apprentice Joiner) are all studying Construction at North East Scotland College in Aberdeen. Their apprenticeship combines classroom learning with hands-on site experience, enabling them to refine their skills in a real-world setting.
Josh’s passion for construction began at school, where he gravitated towards physical, hands-on work, ultimately leading him to bricklaying. Kerr was inspired by his father, Colin Cosgrove, a Site Manager at Bancon, and initially worked as a labourer before finding his path in joinery. Daniel knew early on that an office job wasn’t for him—he wanted a career where he could see tangible results, leading him to painting.
While adjusting to the physical demands of site work was a challenge, each apprentice quickly adapted and found motivation in their progress. Josh takes pride in his precision bricklaying, Kerr has sharpened his attention to detail in joinery, and Daniel is proud of how much his finishing skills have improved.
Senior Site Manager Tim Edwards commended their dedication: “Josh and Daniel have embraced life on-site, showing a great attitude toward learning. Their progress has been fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Site Manager Colin Cosgrove had high praise for Kerr: “As his father, I do push him harder, but I’m incredibly proud of how far he’s come. He’s developed a real work ethic and takes great pride in his craft.”
A Graduate Apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying
Lennon McColgan is taking a different route into construction through a four-year Graduate Apprenticeship at Glasgow Caledonian University. Based at our Strathaven site and Bancon’s Burnett House office, he is gaining invaluable experience working with both site managers and the commercial team.
Reflecting on his journey, Lennon shared: “Balancing university studies with hands-on site and office experience has been incredibly rewarding. It’s given me a much deeper understanding of the industry.”
Ryan McAlear, Commercial Manager, highlighted Lennon’s potential: “Lennon has made a fantastic start to his apprenticeship. His ability to juggle academic and practical demands is impressive, and we’re confident he has a bright future ahead.”
Encouraging the Next Generation
Our apprentices unanimously encourage young people to consider a career in construction, emphasising the lifelong value of trade skills and the constant demand for skilled professionals. Their experiences highlight the benefits of apprenticeships—not just for personal growth, but for the future of the industry.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to celebrate the opportunities that work-based learning provides. At Bancon, we remain committed to nurturing talent and building the future—one apprentice at a time.
