Grit and resolve of youngsters makes big impression

a fantastic role model for other young people.”

He received a cheque for £1,000, and a quaich. Going to treat himself to a holiday? “Probably a bag of tools,” says Danny. He is, without doubt, determined to get on in life after a few false starts.

As he said himself: “College changed everything. That’s where I realised I had to grow up.”

He still goes to the college at its

East Kilbride campus, even though he has completed his two-year adult apprenticeship because he is now starting an advanced craft course.

Eventually, once he has had enough of squeezing water out of his jumper, he would like to become a college lecturer himself, and pass on what he has learned to the next generation.

Amongst the other award winners was Jaspreet Rai, who was given the Overcoming Difficulties prize, sponsored by the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow, who faced the eternal problem of young people of not being able to get a job because they have no experience.

Eventually, he got a week’s work experience with Arnold Clark’s car company, and his enthusiasm to try anything led to him being taken on as an apprentice with the firm’s Harry Fairbairn franchise in Glasgow.

The awards are presented by Glasgow’s new Lord Provost, Eva Bolander, whose Swedish cadences in her voice remind you of how international Glasgow has become.

You are, though, surrounded by history in the Trades Hall. In the Salon, where the awards are being presented,