Top honour for joinery student

A Perth College student has struck gold at a national contest.

Jordon Telfer, a second year joinery student, won first prize in the annual Scottish Association of Timber Trade Teachers’ annual craft competition held at Edinburgh College.

An apprentice with local builders A& J Stephen (Builders) Ltd, Jordon was one of 16 competitors from all across the country – from Shetland to the Borders.

The 18-year-old from Perth impressed judges with his talent and quality of finish on the designated work task, in which he was charged with creating a moulded panel with raised cappings.

Donald Kemp, Perth College’s built environment manager, said: “In the years that Jordon has been at Perth College, he has shown great skills and aptitude in class, and has been taught at his work and at college to use his natural skills to achieve a very high standard in all he does.

“This is the first time in 34 years that one of our students has won this award, so the construction staff are all delighted.”

Ron Sutherland, of A& J Stephen, added: “Jordan is a great example to others and we congratulate him wholeheartedly.

“As a company, we need to continually invest in our future to address the growing skills shortage in the industry.

“Apprentices really are the lifeblood of this industry,” he said.