A FERGUSON'S five quintet of skilled young men have earned the right to call themselves 'shipbuilders of Port Glasgow'.

The former apprentices have graduated to fully fledged tradesmen and are now poised to help shape the future of the famous yard.

Aiden Kerr, Kenny Shand, Shaun Wigzell, Scott McCorkindale and Stuart McGarrigle-Gray received their blue Ferguson's hard hats from chief executive David Tydeman.

Welcoming them into the workforce, Mr Tydeman said: "Everyone at the yard congratulates these five talented young men as they graduate as our newest tradesmen, and we look forward to working alongside them.

"Shipbuilding apprenticeships have always been part of the very fabric of this yard and are part of a commitment to workplace learning.

"They will continue to be the best way for us to tie-in practical knowledge with classroom learning."

Aiden, Kenny and Shaun have qualified as welders while Stuart and Scott — who is part of a long line from the McCorkindale family to work at the yard — are fabricators.

Portonian Scott, whose dad, Douglas, is a welding supervisor and uncle, Billy Pettigrew, is a welder, joked: "My grandfathers have been in the yard as well, so it's a family tradition — I'm surprised my sister doesn't work in there as well."

Scott added: "It's a proud moment for all five of us to earn the title of 'tradesman'.

"It's been three-and-a-half years instead of three because of Covid, so it's been a long time coming, but we're very happy.

"Everyone can see a future for the yard and we're looking forward to being part of that."

Four of the five new tradesmen live in Inverclyde, with Shaun coming from Kilbirnie in Ayrshire.

Ross Elder, apprentice co-ordinator at Ferguson Marine, said: "Apprenticeships aren't easy even when things go smoothly, but these young people had Covid lockdowns, and many months of restrictions to deal with which brought their apprenticeships to a halt and caused their finishing date to be delayed.

"They have worked incredibly hard to get past the finish line to become fully qualified tradesmen and should be immensely proud of what they have achieved."

Yard boss Mr Tydeman said: "We remain fully committed to providing opportunities for talented local people from across Inverclyde and Greater Glasgow, ensuring knowledge is maintained and improved within the Clyde's shipbuilding communities.

"Apprenticeships are all about learning from experienced others, while keeping up with the latest skills and knowledge, and still fit perfectly within how this unique sector best operates."