Regional awards for College apprentices

Electrical installation trainees Andrew Harland, 24, from Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey, and Lewis Gray, 21, from Rochester, came in second and third place respectively at the event organised by the training provider JTL.

The apprentices were nominated from 1,500 in the South East and were among just 12 who made the final shortlist for the ceremony at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, on Tuesday, 22 November.

Andrew received a cheque for £500 for coming second and Lewis a cheque for £300, with both also receiving a commemorative shield and glass plaque.

Stuart Nice, MidKent College’s Head of Construction and Building Services, said: “These two students are a credit to themselves, their employers and the College.

“MidKent College and JTL have identified that these talented individuals have the potential to make a major contribution within the electrical industry.”

Andrew, whose apprenticeship is provided by Sittingbourne-based Chemidose Limited, worked in McDonald’s for three years before gaining new employment through the trainee scheme.

He said: “Working in McDonald’s bought me my car but I wanted to move into a career that I was interested in and that I would enjoy. My granddad was an electrician so it seemed the obvious choice.

“It’s great being an apprentice. Every day you come in you get to learn different systems and think about how you can improve on them.

“Just to make the final 12 at the awards was an achievement for me, let alone finishing second. I didn’t expect it at all.”

MidKent College is approved by the Skills Funding Agency to offer both apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeships, the latter of which prepare workers to become the managers and technicians of tomorrow.

Lewis, whose apprenticeship is provided by Strood-based Lyons Electrical, joined the firm just two days after leaving school.

He said: “My dad works for them so when I was about 14 I used to go there during the holidays to get some work experience. It puts you at a great advantage if you already have some knowledge of how things work.

“I’m being given a great apprenticeship at Lyons and am doing something different every day, from installing automatic number plate recognition systems at supermarkets to carrying out work at the top of power stations.”

For all media enquiries, please contact Steve Knight, Marketing and Communications Officer, on 01634 383277 or email steve.knight@midkent.ac.uk.