For all our apprentices the college training is just one party of their masonry education. 'On-the-job' experience is equally important. Here at WCS this experience is varied and rich, amply illustrated by Martin Smith who has been shortlisted for the Worshipful Company of Masons' Duke of Gloucester Award. This yearly award is aimed at qualified stonemasons who have achieved NVQ3 in stonemasonry and have worked for between three and five years in a mason's yard developing their craft. The recipient of the award will be announced in October.