A SOMALI refugee who fled his country aged 17 has been named as Glasgow’s top apprentice.
Fuad Warsame, 19, wouldn’t have looked out of place on Sir Alan Sugar’s TV show, as he bagged the Trades House of Glasgow’s Modern Apprentice of the Year Award this week.
Despite not being able to speak English, Fuad (pictured) arrived in Glasgow from war-torn Somalia in 2006 and not only went on to learn the lingo but passed courses in Mathematics and Computing at Anniesland College where he left with a National Certificate in Engineering.
Now Fuad is halfway through his mechanical engineering apprenticeship at Strathclyde University, where he will be offered a job when he finishes.
Fuad told The Glaswegian: “It was brilliant receiving the award and something I wasn’t expecting.
“It has been great to receive the award but I also have to thank my colleagues and the staff at the university for all their support.
“Glasgow is a great city and it’s the best place to live. The people are fantastic and very helpful and friendly.”
Hard-working Faud picked up his award from one of the city’s other great self-starters, City Refrigeration Holdings Ltd tycoon Willie Haughey.
Margaret McCulloch, training executive at the University of Strathclyde, praised Fuad’s attitude and hard work.
She said: “Fuad has worked so hard since arriving in the UK. He came highly recommended to us from Anniesland College last year and inspires everyone he meets.
“He overwhelms us all with his extreme enthusiasm to learn and his positive attitude.
“His supervisors have been amazed by his capacity for absorbing the technical aspects of engineering.
“Without doubt he is a great ambassador for the modern apprenticeship programme and we believe a very worthy winner of this prestigious prize.”
As part of his award, which promotes the vocational and personal benefits an apprenticeship provides, Fuad also received an inscribed trophy, a certificate and £500 for future studies.
David Dobson, Deacon Convener of the Trades House of Glasgow, also praised Fuad’s determination.
He said: “Fuad has demonstrated a determination to succeed from his command of English to developing skills as a mechanical engineer.”
Source: Glaswegian
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