Jack beat off competition from thousands of APPRENTICEs from around the country to win the award which was presented at a ceremonial lunch at a Knightsbridge hotel. He won prizes which include £1,500, electrical testing kit and a study tour to France sponsored by industry manufacturer Hager. He will also go on to be an ambassador for the electrotechnical industry over the next 12 months.

Jack explained: “You have to submit a three-minute video application and if you’re shortlisted you then have an hour-long interview with three industry experts asking the questions. There’s a shortlist of 12, and then three of us were invited to the finally lunch, not knowing who had won.

 “It’s very humbling to be recognised as ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year, and to be an ambassador for other apprentices.”

The 44th ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award ceremony, held at the Copthorne Tara Hotel in London, was attended by a host of leading figures from across the electrotechnical industry. The ECA is the UK’s leading trade association that represents and supports the interests of businesses and organisations involved in electrotechnical and engineering services.

Jack joined Opus straight from school aged 16 and is determined to forge a career in the construction industry: “I really enjoy my job and working for Opus and hope to progress my career here.”

Gavin added: “Winning the same title really set me up and gave me the confidence in my own ability. I never looked back after winning it, and hopefully Jack will do the same. I was an apprentice to his dad when I won the award, so in some ways it’s come full circle”.

“Jack has done himself, the company and his mam and dad proud, and I couldn’t be more pleased for him. I think his win also says something about the culture and quality of our workforce here. We’re a supportive, hardworking company which has always put developing our people at the top of our agenda. We’re very careful when selecting apprentices to make sure they have the right attributes and attitudes – and clearly in Jack’s case we got it right.”