A Renfrewshire engineer has been shortlisted for a prestigious award in honour of his efforts to help young people consider careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) roles.

Euan MacLean, 25, is a finalist in the Apprentice Ambassador of the Year category at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which will take place on Wednesday, March 8.

He began his career with a modern apprenticeship at energy services giant Altrad Babcock's Renfrew base after initially deciding university was not for him and is now studying for a degree while he works.  

As an ambassador for careers in STEM, Euan visits local schools, talks to young people at careers events and shares his experiences as an apprentice.  

Euan has held workshops about IMechE (Institut​ion​​ ​of Mechanical Engineers) registration to help others understand how to be confident engineers.  

He has also become a mentor to new apprentices at Altrad, offering advice and support and pushing them to showcase their best efforts.

Euan, from Paisley, said: "I applied to university but I knew it wasn't really for me and the modern apprenticeship pathway has worked out much better.  

"A Modern Apprenticeship matures you in lots of ways - you learn to manage your own time and to be self-disciplined about your work."

Bill Leslie-Miller, recruitment manager at Altrad Babcock, said: "Euan is a fabulous role model for other apprentices and a great ambassador for the programme.   

"He is very keen to ensure that everybody gets a chance to look at doing an engineering apprenticeship and works very hard to promote it."