The organisers of a new Ayrshire-wide competition to recognise outstanding apprentices have issued a last call for entries.

The awards scheme, promoted annually by Irvine Incorporated Trades, has grown in stature with the boundaries extended this year and the prizes being presented at a champagne dinner in September.

There is no better time for companies to encourage and support apprentices with the government committed to creating three million apprenticeships by 2020.

Closing day for the 2017 event is Friday, July 21.

Ayrshire employers and apprentices are urged to submit their entry forms now for a chance to win the top prize of an impressive trophy and £1,000.

This year’s winning apprentice in the Irvine Trades competition would do well to follow the example of one of the four people who will be judging the entries.

Retired businessman Gio Benedetti (pictured) was a schoolboy when his parents sent him from Italy to work at the family café in Irvine back in the 1940s.

He was just 10 years of age but ready for his apprenticeshipin theice cream business alongside his uncle Joe.

Gio moved on to launch his own business in Kilwinning, a commercial dry cleaningcompany which he later sold for £15 million.

Soon after he had six companies employing 800 people with a combined turnover of £50 million plus.

These days,the self-made millionaireis best known as the father ofclassical violinist Nicola Benedetti.

Joining Gio among thejudges areanother three well-qualified experts within the field of industry andeducation–David Watt, Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors, Scotland; Heather Dunk, Principal of Ayrshire Colleges; and Sir Iain McMillan, Chairman of Strathclyde Business SchoolAdvisory Board and former CBI Scotland Director.

The dinner and presentation night at Irvine’s new Portal leisure centre will be held on Friday, September 22. Entry forms for the competition have been sent out to companiesacross Ayrshire.

However employers and apprentices still have time to enter by contacting Brian Donohoe on donohoebrianh@gmail.com or on 07774646600.