OUTSTANDING SVQ CANDIDATE OF THE YEAR

Barry Parkin and his employer George Jarron Jun travelled to Butchers Hall in London at the end of last month to receive the award for the Scottish Vocational Qualifications’ Candidate of the Year.

Barry as worked at Scott Brothers in Dundee since leaving school. He was inducted on a SVQ Meat and Poultry Processing Level 2 in September 2005 and achieved in May 2007.

Barry worked hard throughout his SVQ, producing work of a high standard for the agreed visits. He approached all aspects of his work professionally with attention to detail.

Scott Brothers is one of the largest employer in the Scottish Retail Meat Industry with just short of 100 employees. The diversity of the work involved has meant that Barry has gained experience in all aspects of the trade and fitted into a very busy and demanding work environment.

He has gained great confidence and this is demonstrated by his approach to his every day presentation and was further demonstrated by him winning through to the final of the under 22s Meat Skills Finals 2007 at his first attempt. There he gave a very good account of himself in producing innovative products and an imaginative display. The only reason that he failed to win the main prize was that he was up against the previous winner and an extremely high standard.

Even before he achieved his Level 2 Barry was observed on several occasions offering help and guidance to junior staff members. It was no surprise that Barry wanted to progress on to a Level 3 SVQ in Meat & Poultry Processing. This was encouraged by his employer and is also looking forward to having another attempt at winning the 2008 Meat Skills Final.

Barry thoroughly deserves this award due to his keenness to learn and his willingness to help others, both points of which are a credit to him. Congratulations to Barry and Scott Brothers!