Jonathan McAllister, of Knightswood, has recently completed an NVQ in Graffiti Removal by hand from Nordic, Environmental Solutions - the only accredited course of its kind in the UK, as part of his involvement in the Clean Glasgow campaign.
The 18-year-old who has had a personal interest in promoting the Clean Glasgow Campaign since it launched in February 2007 and was named the overall winner at the Clean Glasgow awards, is the first civilian in Scotland to have successfully completed the qualification.
Having completed the course, Jonathan now has an insight into the theory behind graffiti removal as well as practical training. He will now be able to tackle low level graffiti in his neighbourhood without needing supervision from a Clean Glasgow ECAT officer and assist ECAT officers in training other volunteers to use the kits at community clean-up events.
To ensure that he can continue to support the Clean Glasgow campaign Jonathan was presented with a hand graffiti removal kit by Lee Thompson from Nordic, which prides itself on using only environmentally friendly products.
Jonathan said: “I am determined to help create a cleaner and brighter Glasgow. Having completed the accredited graffiti removal kit course, I will be able to help remove graffiti, which continues to blight local communities and remains a big problem throughout Glasgow.
“I am really grateful for the hand graffiti removal kit, which Nordic has donated to me and as I am now qualified to use the kit this will really help me to support the Clean Glasgow campaign.”
Cycling across the length and breadth of Glasgow, Jonathan has attended almost every community clean up as a volunteer and is also a volunteer with Drumchapel Woodland Group, which works in partnership with the Forestry Commission, activity which led him to be recognised at the Clean Glasgow awards held earlier this year.
Yusuf Faisal, Glasgow City Council ECAT officer said: “As Jonathan’s supervisor throughout his training I am delighted that he has successfully completed the accredited qualification. He has shown a great deal of enthusiasm towards Glasgow City Council’s Clean Glasgow campaign and he should be recognised as an inspiration for other Glasgow residents.”