The Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2020 is entering its final stages, with the company revealing the trade apprentices that have made it to the top ten.
Now in its sixth year, the Screwfix Trade Apprentice is a competition to celebrate the next generation of tradespeople, and give the winner a leg up in kick starting their career. For 2020, the winner will walk away with a prize worth £10,000, which includes £5,000 worth of tools, a £3,000 training budget and £2,000 worth of technology.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the competition online, the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2020 champion will still be awarded the crown on June 24. Now, there are just ten finalists vying for a top spot, with three electrical apprentices having been shortlisted.
The three electrical apprentices named as finalists are Oliver Greaves, Olivia Parkin and Owen Creaser-Smith. Screwfix said that all three were selected for their sheer passion for the trade, determination to succeed and demonstrating how they are already going above and beyond the call of duty for their colleges, employers and customers.
Oliver Greaves
Oliver Greaves, 20, is studying towards his Level 3 Electrical Maintenance qualification at New College Stamford. Screwfix notes Oliver, who is thrilled to have reached the final stage, noted: “I enjoy everything about my apprenticeship, I love how every day is different and like the challenges my role brings. I am really looking forward to the final and knowing I could be this year’s winner is quite unbelievable. The whole experience has been amazing.”
Olivia Parkin
Olivia Parkin, 21, is studying towards an electrical installation qualification at Coleg Gwent. She commented, “I am really excited about the final and potentially winning; not just for me but for all the women out there to see a female tradesperson making it to the final and potentially being crowned this year’s winner. I hope to inspire anyone looking to join the trade industry. I plan to specialise in renewable energy and would love to run my own business in the future. Winning this competition would give me an amazing boost to start this journey.”
Owen Creaser-Smith
Owen Creaser-Smith, 24, is studying towards his Level 3 NVQ Diploma at Vision West Nottinghamshire College. In a statement Owen concluded, “I am feeling both a mixture of excitement and nerves to have made it through to the final. It would be fantastic to win the competition and I feel that making it through to this stage has really helped me to push myself out of my comfort zone.”
According to Screwfix, the two-day event will begin with the finalists participating in a digital academy day with innovative and educational workshops from specialist media school, Global Academy. Now, more than ever, digital skills are vital, and the finalists will get the chance to be involved in a variety of unique sessions including how to run their social media, develop a brand and analyse their current marketing activity.
On June 25, the finalists will get the opportunity to share their experiences and ambitions as an apprentice with a panel of industry-leading judges. The panel includes representatives from the NICEIC, CIPHE, FMB and Screwfix Britain’s Top Tradesperson 2019, Darren McGhee.
Danielle Sweet, Screwfix spokesperson, said: “From over 1400 entries, the 10 finalists have done incredibly well to get this far. Apprenticeships are vital to the construction trade and invaluable to the UK economy. Each year the standard of entries in our competition is exceptional and all the finalists have proven they have a promising career ahead of them. I’d like to congratulate Oliver, Olivia and Owen for getting to the final and wish all of our top 10 the best of luck.”