Dundee Airport’s, Cameron Marshall, has been named ‘Apprentice of the Year’ by Highlands and Islands based aviation charity The Fresson Trust.
The Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) Crew Manager has been with the organisation for 17 years and is currently undertaking a BA (Hons) Business Management with Robert Gordon University (RGU). This is part of the Graduate Apprenticeship programme with funding from Skills Development Scotland and RGU.
Cameron was presented with his award at a special ceremony at Dundee Airport – during Scottish Apprenticeship Week - by Lieutenant Colonel Grenville Johnston CVO OBE, Chairman of The Fresson Trust.
The Fresson Trust is an aviation charity set up in 1991 with the objective of furthering the knowledge of aviation past, present and future, for the benefit of people living in, or visiting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, in memory of Captain Ernest Edmund Fresson, OBE (1891-1963).
The Trust promotes pathways into aviation careers for people resident in the Highlands and Islands, by awarding bursaries. Memorabilia on the life and pioneering exploits of Captain Fresson can be viewed at Inverness Museum and Morayvia Aviation Museum at Kinloss.
His story can be read within his autobiography ‘Air Road to The Isles’. Captain Fresson was the first to establish many of the HIAL airports and The Fresson Trust supports HIAL by providing information of local aviation history at corporate inductions, marking anniversaries of historical significance, awarding HIAL colleagues ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and providing future HIAL apprentice bursary support.
Having completed his first year, Cameron, says he would recommend the course to others that enjoy a challenge.
“It has really helped me develop my skills and knowledge, while giving me the opportunity to develop within HIAL. The course is a big help in terms of my current role and provides the opportunity to be part of projects I normally wouldn’t be involved in,” he added.
Cameron made the decision to apply for the course after receiving an email from the Learning and Development team, offering HIAL colleagues the chance to apply. “Support from colleagues to undertake these qualifications cannot be underestimated, and Cameron is thankful for the guidance he receives from his
mentor Dundee Airport Manager, Derrick Lang, in regard to insights into projects, budgeting and any other queries,” said The Fresson Trust’s Captain Hughie Urquhart.
Several managers within HIAL are currently working towards this qualification and HIAL’s first Graduate Apprentice has already achieved a promoted post after commencing this apprenticeship.
The award was presented by Lieutenant Colonel Grenville Johnston OBE, Chairman of The Fresson Trust, who was joined by Captain Hughie Urquhart, Group Captain Chris Birks (retired) and John Yeoman from the Trust alongside Dundee Airport Manager, Derrick Lang.
Pictured left to right: Chris Birks, Cameron Marshall, Hughie Urquhart, Grenville Johnstone and John Yeoman.