Cochran Apprentices Flying High

Cochran are very proud to announce their 2025 Apprentice of the Year Awards. Our four excellent winners were First Year Apprentice Electrician Bailey Watt, Third Year Apprentice Plater Joe Graham, Fourth Year Welder Todd McMath and Second Year Apprentice Electrician Max Coupland, who has also won Dumfries and Galloway College’s prestigious Apprentice of the Year title for 2025.

The company is a dedicated long term supporter of the apprenticeship concept of on-the-job training with highly experienced professionals in a real world working environment. Over many years the apprentice mentorship system at Cochran has played a key role in developing and maintaining the company’s world-renowned reputation quality and attention amongst its future craftsmen, as well as providing a crucial first step on a career development ladder that has led many up to the highest levels of management within the company.

Bailey Watt

Cochran is something of a family business for our First Year Apprentice Winner, Bailey Watt, “My Dad’s worked at Cochran for many years, growing up I heard a lot of positive stories about the company and, even as a youngster, I knew wanted a future career at Cochran”.

His colleagues at Cochran have also been very impressed with the young Electrician, with Factory Manager, James Johnstone commenting “Eager to learn and quick to lend a hand, Bailey brings a strong work ethic and a great attitude to every job. His growing passion for the trade, commitment to safety and precision means Bailey is already proving to be a valuable part of our team. We're looking forward to watching his skills and experience grow throughout his apprenticeship”.

Keen sports fan, Bailey has clearly settled into the Cochran team well, saying he feels valued and trusted to work on his own initiative. He’s proud to have completed Cochran’s respected BOMSA Boiler Operator course and is now looking forward to spending some time in the Maintenance Department as part of the breakdowns team.

Max Coupland

Fellow sports fan, Electrician Max Coupland is also interested in going into maintenance work at Cochran. Winner of both the Cochran 2025 Second Year Apprentice of the Year AND Dumfries and Galloway College’s Overall Apprentice of the Year Award 2025, according to Factory Manager, James Johnstone he “Stands out as a leader among his peers, earning the respect of mentors and colleagues alike”.

Max is certainly getting the most from his training, commenting “I’ve enjoyed getting the chance to learn about my trade and gain practical skills”, adding “A Cochran apprenticeship has enabled me to learn different aspects of being an Electrician in a challenging real world working environment, whilst also getting paid at the same time”.

Max’s dedication is impressive. “He has consistently gone above and beyond in his training, demonstrating exceptional technical skill, a strong work ethic, and a natural drive for excellence”; high praise indeed from Cochran’s James Johnstone.

Joe Graham

Now in the third year of his apprenticeship as a Plater in our respected Fabrication Department, Joe is winner of Cochran’s 2025 Third Year Apprentice of the Year Award.

“Joe has shown outstanding dedication from day one. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to quality, he consistently delivers work of the highest standard. An especially positive attitude, and eagerness to learn mark him out as a real talent to watch on the Cochran shopfloor. He’s already risen to become a valued team member and his achievements this year are a true testament to his potential” commented James Johnstone, Factory Manager.

Joe, who enjoys travel, boxing and keeping fit, feels the opportunity to learn new skills from highly experienced tradesmen at a company with a worldwide reputation for quality has been an invaluable feature of his training. By now a confident engineer well capable of working on his own initiative, he’s particularly proud of fabricating and fitting boiler safety walkways and ladders from start to completion on his own in Bay 1.

Todd McMath

Welder, Todd McMath is recipient of our fourth year Apprentice of the Year award. Aiming to qualify in a key trade with great career development potential, Todd chose Cochran specifically because of its internationally renowned quality engineering environment.

Another sports fan, and gym fanatic, Todd’s enjoyed developing and progressing his MMA, TIG and pressure vessel welding skills to certification with Cochran; learning new things and further improving every day.

His well-deserved award now reflects that personal drive. It has been earned through shear hard work, talent, and dedication to excellence in his chosen trade. Quick to grasp new skills and rise to every challenge, this eagerness to learn, combined with his confidence and can-do attitude shines through! “Todd’s passion for welding and commitment to excellence promise a bright future for him at Cochran” enthused Factory Manager, James Johnstone.

Congratulations

Cochran would like to congratulate Bailey, Max, Todd and Joe on their Cochran accolades, with special plaudits to Max for adding Dumfries and Galloway College’s Overall Apprentice of the Year Award to his tally. Alongside our other apprentices they represent the leading-edge of Cochran’s bright future.