Fife Council's Environment and Building Services has recognised the outstanding achievements of apprentices from across construction, grounds maintenance and fleet services at its 2026 Apprentice of the Year Awards.

Held at Rothes Halls, the awards brought together apprentices, colleagues and mentors to recognise success across the service and celebrate the contribution apprentices make to council teams and communities across Fife.

Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife Council's spokesperson for Housing and Building Services, said:"These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the hard work, talent and commitment of our apprentices. Every one of those shortlisted should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.

"Apprenticeships play a vital role in helping local people build rewarding careers while developing the skilled workforce we need for the future. By investing in apprentices, we are investing in our communities and ensuring we continue to provide high-quality services across Fife.

"The success of our apprenticeship programme is something we can all be proud of. These talented individuals are developing skills that will benefit communities across Fife for years to come, and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and succeed in their careers with Fife Council."

"Congratulations to all of this year's winners and finalists, and thank you to the many supervisors, mentors and trainers who support them throughout their apprenticeship journey."

Service Manager Allan Halliday said:"We are incredibly proud to support 135 apprentices across a wide range of disciplines, helping to develop the next generation of skilled professionals here in Fife.

"Being shortlisted for these awards is a fantastic achievement and reflects the quality of our apprenticeship programme, the commitment of our staff, and the hard work and dedication of the apprentices themselves.

"While these awards recognise individual achievements, they also reflect the significant contribution made by colleagues across Fife Council who support our apprentices every day. From supervisors, mentors and trainers to managers and support staff, many people invest their time, knowledge and experience to help apprentices develop their skills, confidence and professional standards.

"This year's apprentices have made an outstanding contribution across council services, and it is encouraging to see their efforts recognised both within the organisation and by external industry bodies. Their achievements demonstrate the strength of the programme and the positive impact it has on the communities we serve."

The winners of the 2026 awards are as follows:

• Fleet Services Winner – Apprentice HGV Mechanic Kieran Mitchell

• Grounds Maintenance Service Winner – Apprentice Horticultural Gardener Caelan Vannart

Building Services:

• 1^st Year Winner – Apprentice Plasterer Finn Glancey

• 2^nd Year Winner – Apprentice Plasterer Cairn Campbell

• 3^rd Year Winner – Apprentice Electrician Kieran Lynch

• 4^th Year Winner – Apprentice Electrician Coby Howell

Overall Winner – Kieran Lynch

In addition to recognising apprentice success, the event also supported local good causes through a fundraising raffle. A total of £3,092.12 was raised, with Fairway Fife and Youth 1st each receiving £1,546.06.

Lewis Mckerchar, Commercial Development Manager said:"We're delighted that the event was able to support both Fairway Fife and Youth 1st. The generosity of everyone involved was outstanding, and the funds raised will help these organisations continue their valuable work with people and communities across Fife. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the raffle such a success."