MyGlasgow News

Estates and Buildings apprentice Grant McGillivray has won his second industry awards in just a few, short months. MyGlasgow News reporter Sam Pugh caught up with him.

Grant's latest recognition is in the shape of an Emerging Talent award.

 The 21 year old apprentice with the University’s Estates and Buildings Team caught the attention of the UofG community last year when he won the 2016 Harland Roberts Award for “the most promising engineering apprentice in the university sector”, presented by the Association of University Engineers. 

Now Grant has just been awarded the ‘Emerging Talent’ award by the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE). Speaking of his recent achievements, Grant said he was “humbled and surprised” to have won the prestigious awards so early on in his career. 

After being inspired by his father’s work as an electrician, Grant sought to pursue a career in engineering, saying he ‘was fascinated’ by air conditioning and refrigeration.

At school he also enjoyed problem solving so engineering proved a great challenge to focus on.

A highlight of Grant's time here at the UofG has been working on the £21 million District Heating Scheme that was successfully installed last year. Grant helped with some stages of the the project whilst also learning more about large infrastructure projects.

Asked about his favourite aspect of working life at the University, Grant said: "The University of Glasgow is a great place to work with so many opportunities."

"The people I work with come from all different walks of life with so much knowledge to share between them." Grant is also is grateful for the “people and atmosphere” at the university, with his colleagues always being sure to “have a good laugh”. 

Grant hopes to be given a permanent contract at the university once he finishes his apprenticeship in July. He also plans to enrol on the BEng Building Services Engineering course at Glasgow Caledonian University this autumn.

Grant’s top tips for those wishing to find success: "Stay on top your work and always follow your ambitions."

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First published: 1 May 2017