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GAINING a new skill while earning, getting hands-on experience while also learning and landing a new career – apprenticeships are one of the best ways to get into work.
And as this is National Apprenticeship Week, what better week for Screwfix to launch the annual Screwfix Trade Apprentice Award? The competition aims to find the finest trade apprentices in the land and reward the winner with a £10,000 prize package, as well as funds for future training and courses.
Caroline Welsh, director of brand and marketing at Screwfix, says: “The driving philosophy behind Screwfix’s Trade Apprentice competition is to support and champion the rising stars of the trade, encouraging them to strive for excellence and to achieve the highest professional standards.”
Here meets last year’s winner, plus looks at some famous faces who started off as apprentices.
NADINE LINGE APPRENTICE electrician Jack Martin scooped the title last year – and it has already put him years ahead in the trade.
The 20-year-old from Weymouth has used part of the prize for an electrical design course which is teaching him how to plan large electrical projects.
He says: “Winning has given me the chance to do things I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.
“I’m currently studying a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment in addition to a Level 4 Design and Verification course.
“I’m one of the youngest people to ever join this course. Other people on my course are in their forties and fifties and have been in the industry for 30 years, so it’s been a real step forward for me to be there.”
Jack goes to college one day a week and spends the rest of the time working for electrical contractors Tristan G Murless.
It means he combines classroom-based learning with practical experience.
Loved
He says: “I love being out and about and I never wanted to be behind a desk – that’s why I do the job I do.
“But it’s important to learn the procedures and correct way of doing things at college which I can then put into practice at work.
“Winning the competition has also helped my career in that I have been able to buy the essential tools and equipment I need to do my job.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than solving a client’s problems and leaving feeling pleased with the job you’ve done.”
Jack spotted the advert for the competition on Facebook and beat more than a thousand other applicants to be selected as one of 10 finalists.
The top 10 then headed to Google HQ in London to battle it out for the title.
“The day was unreal,” says Jack. “I loved it there and the other nine contestants were amazing.
“Everyone was excited to be there and happy for each other – we all knew we had done well to get there.”
After Jack impressed the judging panel during team exercises and an individual interview, he was crowned the winner.
And the news came as a happy surprise to the young sparky, who never expected to win. They said my name and I was shocked,” he adds. “I didn’t expect to win because the other contestants were more outspoken.
“But it proved you don’t have to be the loudest person in a room as long as what you say is valid.”
Jack is now keen to show an apprenticeship can be an alternative to university and wants to help increase awareness of their benefits.
He says: “People often don’t know what apprenticeships are or how to get them and schools often steer people towards university.
“A friend of mine was going to university to d accounting until I advise him to do an apprenticeship
“He’s getting the sam qualification and earnin money instead of gettin into debt.
“There should be bette support, guidance and r sources for apprenticeships.
As for his next step, Jack i keeping his options open.
He says: “This industry i massive so I’m just seein what’s out there.
“I am very ambitious an always thinking about th next thing I want to achieve.