 | |  | | | Above:(L to R): JTL Chairman Les Bayliss, Jonathan Willson, Seymour and Castle’s Managing Director Andrew Berry
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Lincolnshire apprentice storms the Tower
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| 03 Mar 2010
Lincolnshire electrical apprentice Jonathan Willson was named Best Apprentice 2009 last week at the JTL National Awards Ceremony hosted in the Tower of London on 24 February 2010.
Employed by Louth electrical engineers and contractors Seymour and Castle, Jonathan was JTL’s East Midlands Regional winner competing against nine other regional finalists from England and Wales, who themselves were chosen from over 10,000 JTL apprentices.
Jonathan Willson said: “I feel extremely privileged to be presented with an award at this level. To get to the final 10 in the UK felt like a great achievement, but to win overall was incredible. The hard work put in to the apprenticeship was really worthwhile and has led to great career prospects at the end of it. I am looking forward to continuing to work for Seymour & Castle and progressing through the company in the time ahead.”
Jonathan joined the company in 2005 and after gaining Advanced Apprenticeship status he completed an ONC in Electrical Engineering. Now the 20 year old from Hemingby near Horncastle’s rapid rise is set to continue after Seymour and Castle invited him to become a management trainee undertaking an HNC in Business Studies.
Seymour and Castle’s Managing Director Andrew Berry said: “This a real success story for us and is also great to see young people and business in Lincolnshire recognised in this way. We’re all very proud of Jonathan, it’s great to see a young person grow into a really accomplished craftsperson and to see his hard work and commitment to both Seymour and Castle and his apprenticeship recognised. He was an unassuming 16 year old and he applied himself with hard work and 100 per cent attendance record. His enthusiasm shined through and has moved to management.”
“The success though is also down to my JTL Training Officer Nick Smith, Lincoln College and my employers Seymour & Castle Ltd, who have all supported me throughout the apprenticeship and helped me gain the necessary skills required,” Jonathan added.
As the national winner Jonathan received a cash prize of £1,500, he also received a trophy and plaque celebrating his achievement. Recognising the invaluable contribution that the 10 regional winners’ employers have made to the advancement and support of these apprentices over the last four years, JTL also awarded the proud employers with a winner’s trophy.
JTL’s Chief Executive, Denis Hird said: “As the leading training provider in the building services engineering sector we take great pleasure in seeing our apprentices achieving at the highest levels. However, we recognise that our apprentices’ achievements would not be possible without the local employers in England and Wales that work with us to train and support them. Their ongoing commitment and encouragement, along with that of JTL’s Training Officers is crucial both to the success of our apprentices and to JTL.” |
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