Nottingham apprentices earn top recognition.

Dean Birch declared Area Winner for Practical Achievement in Electrical Installation after completing a four-year apprenticeship with Nottingham company Skerritt.

Bulwell electrician is celebrating after being named the best apprentice in the East Midlands.

Dean Birch, 21, was declared Area Winner for Practical Achievement in Electrical Installation and has received a GBP750 prize for his efforts after completing a four-year apprenticeship with Nottingham company Skerritt.

Competing against hundreds of other electricians in the East Midlands, Dean was recognised for producing the highest quality electrical installation work after a week of practical exams, which brought his apprenticeship to a close.

The prize was granted by the national training organisation JTL and was awarded at a ceremony held in the House of Lords.

Dean said: "The apprenticeship with Skerritt has been brilliant".

"I've now got a trade that can take me anywhere".

"It was good to be recognised for the work that I put into it and the prize money came in handy for my holiday".

Two other Skerritt apprentices have also been recognised for excellent performance, commitment and hard work.

Matt Spencer, 22, from Arnold, and Andy Smith, 21, from Colwick, became the first Skerritt apprentices to achieve an advanced apprenticeship award from the Nottinghamshire Training Network and Learning and Skills Council.

Like Dean, the two mechanical heating and ventilation engineers have put in a gruelling four years worth of study and practical work at Skerritt to pass all the exams needed to achieve the advanced apprenticeship status.

Skerritt has been running its apprenticeship scheme for the last 60 years and takes on about ten apprentices each year in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering.

Matt said: "The apprenticeship is tough".

"You have to be really committed to it".

"While your friends are off earning pots of money, we've had our heads in the books".

"I'm glad I stuck with it though as I'm set up for life now".

Skerritt apprentices spend 50 per cent of the time in college and 50 per cent of the time working out on site.

The company is contracted to deliver mechanical, electrical and plumbing services on projects such as phase two of the biomolecular sciences building at Nottingham University.

Andy said: "It's been the best thing I could have done".

"If you're prepared to put the hard work in and see it through, you come out the other end with a trade under your belt and endless opportunities ahead of you".

Stuart Hill, joint managing director of Skerritt, said: "We're really proud of Dean, Matt and Andy".

"They have shown real dedication".

"Their excellence is the hallmark of our business and it's that kind of attitude and standard of work that makes Skerritt respected for the service it delivers".

See website for more information or to find out more about the apprenticeships.

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