Shetland man Garry Munro won the Apprentice Achievement award in the Overcoming the Odds category, at the prestigious Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards, held at the Sheraton hotel in Edinburgh on Thursday 6th October 2005.

Garry, who now works for the NHS in Shetland, was progressing well with his university career when his work on an engineering degree was stopped in its tracks by the onset of serious illness.  An injury to his arm led to a diagnosis of bone cancer which meant Garry, 24, was unable to continue his studies and had to return to his native Shetland to begin the recovery process.

Sadly, Garry's left arm was permanently disabled by the cancer and this, coupled with his separation from his university friends and the fact that he lived in a remote part of Shetland, meant his confidence was at a low ebb.

After a long recovery period Garry was referred to Lerwick-based training company Support Training by his local Jobcentre and, interested in a career in business administration, found that the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme offered new opportunities to help him to focus on the future.

Garry took up a role working on reception at Support Training.  His growing confidence in the role saw him make rapid progress and he was offered a full-time job on reception at the organisation's training centre.

Much of this success was attributed to the confidence and self-belief Garry gained from the MA programme. Having achieved his modern apprenticeship over a three-year period Garry moved on to a new role, working for the NHS as a cancer service validation officer, a role he was ideally suited for due to his own experience of the illness.

John Maclellan, manager at Support Training in Lerwick, said: "Garry is a very caring and understanding person who has gone through the devastating effects of cancer. It is ironic that he has been able to beat his illness and is now using all his new skills and life experience to help others.

"I'm a great believer in modern apprenticeships as the programme gives people the opportunity to learn and gain skills and qualifications in a proper working environment and benefit from the support and encouragement they need to overcome the barriers they face.  I believe Garry is an exceptional individual and very deserving winner of this award."

Garry Munro said: "The MA programme gave me the confidence to start again in a different career direction."

Sarah Dell, development manager with Shetland Enterprise, who fund the MA programme in Shetland, said: "We are very pleased that Garry's achievements have been recognised with the presentation of this award. 

"The MA awards are really important as they are a celebration of the high standards now being reached by many apprentices, training providers, colleges and employers involved in Modern Apprenticeships."