Posted: Monday 23 August 2010

Student powers his way to Commonwealth Games

A Kilmarnock College student is balancing a weightlifting career and his Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship to power towards his dream of reaching the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

Craig Carfray (18) from Kilmarnock has already won a number of weightlifting competitions, including the British Juniors and the British Seniors tournaments this year and has also represented Scotland and Great Britain at tournaments in Cyprus, Austria and Israel.

The Kilmarnock Weightlifting Club member has managed to juggle his athletic endeavours with working towards a Modern Apprenticeship in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Level 3 at Kilmarnock College.

Craig said: "I have been lifting weights since I was 12 years old and find it a great way of keeping fit, while also seeing some of the world. I have been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to balance my weightlifting with my apprenticeship with Hamilton Tarmac and Kilmarnock College."

Jim Harkness, Motor Vehicle Assessor for Kilmarnock College, said: "Craig has progressed well throughout the year. He has shown great commitment to both his apprenticeship and his weightlifting and is a great example of how far a positive attitude and some determination can get you."

Wullie Hamilton, Owner of Hamilton Tarmac, said: "Craig is a great employee and apprentice, and we are all very supportive of his weightlifting skills, which can come in very handy on the job. We're 100% behind him and we are positive he can make it to the Commonwealth Games in 2014."

Craig's assessors at Kilmarnock College and his colleagues at Hamilton Tarmac will have a further opportunity to cheer him on at his next competition in August, as the National Team event takes place in York. Scotland will take on England over a variety of weight divisions in the British under 18s, with Craig hoping to win in the 69 kilograms division.

The Heavy Vehicle, Maintenance and Repair Level 3 course allows experienced technicians already employed in garages to advance their skills and formalise their experience of repairing heavy vehicles. Assessments are carried out on site and assessors from Kilmarnock College visit apprentices regularly to ensure they meet all course requirements. Units for the course include Motor Vehicle Technology and Modern Repair Techniques, Servicing and Maintenance and Vehicle Inspection.

For further information on courses available at Kilmarnock College please call 01563 523501 or visit www.kilmarnock.ac.uk.

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For more information, contact:
Joanna Wilson, Beattie Communications, 01698 787847/ joanna.wilson@beattiegroup.com

Jacqui Donachy, Beattie Communications, 01698 787843/ jacqui.donachy@beattiegroup.com

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