Aspiring electricians, Jindara Scott from Lisburn and Lucas Whelan based in Liverpool, have secured their places in the final of the annual Screwfix Trade Apprentice award.
From over 1,800 initial applications, just ten apprentices have made the grade and are heading to the two-day event in London next month.
As well as competing for this prestigious award, which aims to highlight the hard work and dedication of trade apprentices across the UK and Ireland, both Jindara, 22, and Lucas, 21 are focused on becoming professional electricians. Jindara is currently studying Electrical Installation at South Eastern Regional College in Lisburn, whilst Lucas is studying Level 3 Electrotechnical NVQ at In-Phase Training Ltd,
Both hope to impress a judging panel of industry experts for a chance to be named the winner at the event on 3rd May.
Jindara was shortlisted for demonstrating her passion, dedication, and ambition for her chosen trade, which shone through during the semi-finals. She would like to encourage more people to get into the industry, and, having personally experienced a lack of encouragement at school to consider an apprenticeship, she is keen to work with both students and teachers on highlighting the wide variety of career options the trade has to offer.
She said: “I can’t believe I have made it to this stage of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024! I’m so glad that my skills, dedication, and achievements have secured me a place in the national final.
Lucas has showcased his impressive trade skills and keen interest in website development in the competition so far. In the future, he would like to design and build a website that can be used as a learning resource, where qualified electricians share their knowledge with those just starting out in the trade.
He said: “I love my trade and I’m keen to inspire other young people to get into the trade as it can be such a rewarding and exciting career. I’m very proud to be representing the hard work and dedication of all trade apprentices and I’m looking forward to demonstrating my passion in front of the judges. To be crowned the winner would be a huge personal achievement and a highlight of my career.”
The Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024 champion will receive a career boosting trade bundle of tools, tech and training worth £10,000. This, alongside the coveted Screwfix Trade Apprentice title, is everything an apprentice needs to excel within their chosen career.
This year’s judging panel includes representatives from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, the Federation of Master Builders, the National Inspection Council of Electrical Installation Contracting along with Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2023 winner, Astrid Arnold.
Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix says: “As always, we have been blown away with the calibre of entries, and every one of the finalists have an incredible work ethic. It is no easy feat to make the final of this competition all whilst maintaining their study and work commitments. They should be extremely proud of making it this far.
“It has never been more important to acknowledge the fantastic work of the nation’s trade apprentices. As the industry skills gap continues to grow, highlighting the most rewarding and fulfilling aspects of the trade is vital to attracting new talent.
“Our previous winners have gone on to be trailblazers in their respective trades. I wish our 2024 finalists the best of luck and I’m sure they too will achieve great things.”
To find out more about the Screwfix Trade Apprentice award, click here
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