Industry contribution recognised with prestigious award

March 6, 2026

NESCol welding specialist Ronnie Cowie has been named as the winner of a prestigious award made by his peers in the sector.

He has been announced as the recipient of the Richard Waud memorial quaich by the Welding Institute’s North Scottish branch.

The achievement award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the welding and fabrication sectors in the North East and Highlands and Islands.

Ronnie, Curriculum Manager for Mechanical Engineering, Maintenance Engineering and Welding, has been sharing his expertise and experience since joining the College as a lecturer more than 34 years ago.

In his current role he leads training for welding and fabrication students at NESCol’s Fraserburgh Campus and the new £10million Energy Transition Skills Hub. The Hub features a bespoke Welding Academy with 32 booths – each with metal inert or active gas welding (MIG/MAG), tungsten inert-gas welding (TIG) and manual metal-arc welding (MMA) – and has significantly increased the College’s capacity.

NESCol Principal Neil Cowie said: “For Ronnie to be voted as this year’s winner of the Richard Waud Award by his peers is a fantastic and well-deserved honour.

“The influence he has on the next generation is no secret here at NESCol. For more than three decades he has provided students with the foundation for long and rewarding careers, providing them with the skills to take into workplaces across the world.

“That has taken on a new dimension with the opening of the Energy Transition Skills Hub. Demand for full-time and upskilling courses is growing rapidly, with Ronnie and his team playing an important role in shaping that delivery and ensuring that everyone who comes under their wing benefits from a wealth of industry experience and knowledge.”

Ronnie was presented with his award by The Welding Institute’s Chairman Stephen Anarah and Vice-Chairman Brian Bell.