Three is the magic number for an award-winning apprentice who made the switch to his trade in unusual circumstances.
Graeme Baird, who will soon be a fully-qualified electrician, originally started his career by gaining a business management degree.
But, after he was made redundant from his job at an energy company, the 27-year-old decided to pursue life as a tradesman and secured a job with Aberdeen City Council.
The switch proved so successful for Mr Baird that he was recently crowned Scottish Apprentice of the Year for the third time in a row.
Mr Baird, who lives in the Torry area of the city, was presented with his award at a ceremony in Dunblane, near Stirling.
He said: “It felt good, it seemed a bit more difficult this year, so I wasn’t sure how well I had done.”
After nearly four years studying at Tullos Training college, Mr Baird maintained he had no regrets about making the transition from graduate to apprentice.
He added: “Everyone told me, if you went to university, you would get a good job at the end of it, but it doesn’t really work that way for everyone any more.
“I would advise anyone who was in my position to go for it. When I first started, it was difficult because you take a big drop in money.
“The council was really good and actually pays more than the minimum – but once you rough out the first couple of years it’s worth it.”
He also encouraged parents not to fall victim to the stigma surrounding apprenticeships.
As he explained: “My best friend and brother both became ‘sparkies’ [electricians] after school and they have not been out of work since.
“There are so many different opportunities, everyone I know who has done one is in a really good position, I couldn’t recommend it enough.”
The city council’s apprenticeship scheme lasts four years and provides on-the-job training.
Applications for the next batch of trainees opens on March 27 and there is a recruitment day for school-leavers at the Town House on March 30.
