William Wallace is business Braveheart

Published 3 Mar 2010 14:27 0 Comments

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By Jennifer Black

A MILLIONAIRE business entrepreneur has chosen a Johnstone man as his next prodigy.

William Wallace, 25, beat off stiff competition from 2,000 applicants to be one of Scots Dragon, Shaf Rasul's four new apprentices.

Rasul launched the apprentice initiative in response to government figures which showed that youth unemployment reached one million at the end of last year.

William applied on the closing date of the competition and his CV was picked to be in the final 50.

He was asked to attend an assessment day and after a morning of aptitude and maths tests he made it into the top 21 and spent his afternoon problem solving.

The former Johnstone High School pupil then made it into the final 10 and had to take part in a range of activities, including a presentation and interview, before finally being named as one of the four apprentices.

Now he has a daily commute to Newbridge in Edinburgh where he has access to some of the best contacts in the business industry.

William said: "It's a fantastic opportunity.

"It's a steep learning curve but the opportunities are endless - it's amazing chance to be successful."

Just last month William, who lives at the family home in Milliken Park, was working at a lab testing bacteria.

He added: "I fully believe that this one year apprenticeship will give me all of the tools and experience to go out there and be a success in my own right."

William has already earned praise from his new boss, who is worth an estimated £48million.

Shaf said: "I'd firstly like to welcome William into my business and congratulate him on securing the one-year apprenticeship programme.

"The standard of candidates has been incredible and I was truly inspired by the level of dynamism and enthusiasm on display throughout the selection process.

"However William raised his level when it really mattered and demonstrated the essential entrepreneurial flair, self-motivation and leadership needed to be a success within my organisation.

"I'm now looking forward to setting him to work within my business and supporting and monitoring his development throughout his 12-month apprenticeship programme."

William, who lives with his dad William, mum Christina and younger sister Ashley, added: "It fills you with pride they can at least see the potential in you."

This article appeared in The Gazette 03 Mar 10

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