INVERCLYDE’S Ferguson Marine shipyard has been named as a finalist in the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.

The booming Port Glasgow company – which aims to recruit a total of 150 apprentices by 2020 – was today hailed for its ‘wholehearted support’ to employment and skills training of young people.

Damien Yeates, chief executive of awards organiser Skills Development Scotland, said: “I want to congratulate Ferguson Marine on reaching the finals, which showcase the wholehearted support for apprenticeships shown by employers and the benefits apprentices bring to the country’s 
workplaces.”

Ferguson’s is in the running to win the small and medium enterprise employer category.

The yard launched an apprenticeship programme last year and 35 apprentices have already joined the company since then.

The awards bash will take place on November 3 at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.