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

Closing day for the 2017 event is this 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 £1000.

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.

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 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, but ready for his apprenticeship in the ice cream business alongside his uncle Joe.

Gio moved on to launch his own business in Kilwinning, a commercial dry cleaning company 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 millionaire is best known as the father of classical violinist Nicola Benedetti.

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

Organising the event is former MP Brian Donohoe, who has put together a team to coordinate the high-profile dinner and presentation night at Irvine’s new Portal leisure centre on Friday, September 22.

Entry forms have been sent out to companies across Ayrshire. However employers and apprentices still have time to enter before next Friday’s deadline by contacting Brian directly on donohoebrianh@ gmail.com or on 07774646600.