A worthy winner of this year's title, Mark Lynch has shown an exceptional interest in his career from an early stage. While still at school he decided to take part in Glasgow's School Vocational Programme and spent half a day a week at Queenslie Training Centre learning a variety of construction trades.
The experience he gained meant that he needed little advice in choosing which trade he would like to pursue, and was accepted for an apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery with City Building (Glasgow) LLP.
In the four years since, Mark has excelled in terms of his commitment, quality of work, and his dedication to continued learning. Having gained an SVQ Level 3 and Advanced Craft qualification in Carpentry and Joinery, he is now in the second year of an HNC in Construction Management.
He is also a natural leader, as Development Manager, Gavin Hay, explains: "Mark is quite imposing in stature, but mild mannered as a person. He is consistent and reliable, but modest and gets on well with everyone he comes in contact with.
He added: "Mark is very articulate for his age and mature in terms of his career and career development. I put his success down to the fact that if he doesn't know something he asks or finds out. That way in time he'll know it all."
His communication skills will also stand him in good stead. At the start of his apprenticeship, Mark was chosen as class representative by his peers. He was then selected as Scottish Region apprentice delegate at the UCATT National Conference in Torquay were he addressed the conference on the issue of apprentices in the construction industry. Speaking to such a large audience would unnerve many more experienced professionals but, as Harry Frew, Scottish Regional Secretary noted at the time, "Mark spoke calmly on the need for greater investment by companies in training for the future of the industry and received the loudest ovation of the week."
City Building (Glasgow) had no hesitation in taking Mark on full-time at the end of his apprenticeship, where he hopes to have a long and prosperous career.
Outside of work, he has been involved in numerous projects, including the design and build of two wedding chairs for a local church and building a garden obelisk for the prestigious Glasgow Show.
The Master Builder of the Year Awards judges said: "Mark has all the quantities we want to see in all apprentices, including commitment to his trade and employer, along with the willingness and ability to continue to learn. The construction industry's future will be assured through the development of young people such as Mark Lynch."
