A SCOTSTOUN apprentice has been awarded for his academic attainment, demonstrating that dyslexia doesn’t prevent a successful career in engineering.

Glen Fraser, a fourth-year technician apprentice at BAE Systems in Scotstoun, won The Prince Philip Prize for being the best college student as a result of his success in winning the Hammermen Award last year.

The kind-hearted apprentice donated £500 of his £1,500 prize money to Dyslexia Scotland in the hope that he can help others to overcome the challenges they may face.

Glen has also won a number of other awards including being named as Naval Ships Apprentice of the Year twice.

He said: “I’m proud to donate some of the prize money to Dyslexia Scotland to say thanks for the help they gave me throughout my school days. There will be people out there like me who have dyslexia, or a learning disability and I want to raise awareness that it really is possible to have a successful career in engineering.

“Back in school when I was diagnosed with dyslexia I really didn’t think that winning awards would be possible. I think it says a lot about the company I work for and the people who have set aside time to support my development on the apprenticeship programme."

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After being identified with dyslexia in primary school, Glen found inspiration in Sir Jackie Stewart, former world champion Formula One racing driver and president of Dyslexia Scotland, when he replied to a letter from Glen and sent him a collection of racing memorabilia.

Over the years that followed Glen and Sir Jackie Stewart kept in touch and recently Glen was invited to Dyslexia Scotland’s annual Ambassadors lunch to discuss raising awareness in schools and in the workplace and other ways to help support other people with dyslexia.

In the future, Glen is also keen to become an ambassador for the charity so that he can continue to inspire others in to STEM related careers by discussing his experiences and proving that careers goals can still be achieved if you are dyslexic.

Cathy Magee, chief executive of Dyslexia Scotland, said: “Our warm congratulations go to Glen on his impressive achievements - it’s well deserved. He is clearly excelling in his chosen career - it is heart-warming to hear about Glen’s success and to hear that he was so inspired by the encouragement that Sir Jackie gave him when he was a young boy that he now wishes to help others who have dyslexia.”