AN apprentice from Annbank has been named a runner-up for this year’s Interconnect Student Award.

Catriona Cook whose apprenticeship specialises in Digital Marketing was selected for her involvement in Ayrshire Connects - a network group for female STEM and construction students at Ayrshire College – and the award celebrates a female student who has gone above and beyond to support, mentor or promote women in science, technology, engineering and maths in Scotland.

The 23-year-old helped to establish the group in order to provide female STEM and construction students with greater opportunities to meet like-minded people and build links within their industries.

Catriona said: “I’m over the moon to have had my work on Ayrshire Connects recognised with this award. Ayrshire Connects is continually growing and it’s really great to see girls and women in Ayrshire being inspired by each other and getting the conversation surrounding women in STEM going.

“I love being part of the network and it’s something I hope continues to evolve in the future.”

Shelagh McLachlan, Marketing and PR Manager at Ayrshire College, added: “I am very proud to see Catriona’s work recognised by Equate Scotland through their prestigious Interconnect Awards. She is doing great work in bringing together students at Ayrshire College and creating opportunities for them to connect with employers.

“She has created some really innovative events attracting not just our students, but also school pupils, teachers, staff and employers, to come together and build an Ayrshire STEM community.”