Drumchapel decorator brushes off the competition to reach national finals

A Drumchapel apprentice has brushed off the competition after a stunning double win in two of the UK’s toughest trade contests.

Ricky Booth, 32, a painting and decorating apprentice with Persimmon Homes West Scotland, went head-to-head with some of the UK’s top apprentices and came out on top in both contests.

Ricky, who studies at Glasgow Clyde College, was first selected for the PDA Premier Trophy Apprentice Award 2026 Scottish regional heat, where he claimed first place and secured his place at the national final in Doncaster this June.

Shortly after, he travelled to Carlisle to compete in the regional heat of SkillBuild, widely known as the construction industry’s “Skills Olympics”. Ricky delivered another winning performance, placing first in his category. He will now await confirmation on whether his score is high enough to qualify for the national final.

The double success marks a standout achievement for the second-year apprentice, who continues to impress both on site and in competition.

Ricky Booth said “I’m really proud to have won both competitions. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s great to see it paying off. Competing against the best apprentices in the country pushes you to improve, and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.”

William Smith, Senior Regional Apprenticeship Manager at Persimmon Homes, added “Ricky’s achievements are outstanding. To win two major regional competitions against such strong competition shows the level of skill, dedication, and professionalism he brings to his trade. He’s a great example of the talent coming through our apprenticeship programme, and we’re all very proud of his performances.”

Persimmon Homes continues to invest in apprenticeships across Scotland, supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople while delivering high-quality homes for local communities.