Bridgwater college student wins Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2015

Local joinery apprentice, Nadia Connabeer, has been named the Screwfix Trade Apprentice of 2015 following her training at Bridgwater College.

Nadia, 21, was able to beat off stiff competition from trade apprentices throughout the UK, taking part in a series of challenges to show that she has the skills and drive to succeed in her field. Attending the competition finals in London, Nadia went head to head with nine other finalists and impressed the judging panel with her enthusiasm and commitment to her trade.

Nadia commented: “I am delighted that I have won the title of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2015. I love furniture making and I’m constantly thinking of the next thing I can build! I’ve had a fantastic year so far and hopefully this award will help me inspire other people to take up such a rewarding profession.”

Nadia, who attends Bridgwater College, has not only been awarded the title, but has also received the top prize of a £10,000 ultimate business and trade bundle including everything she needs to get a kick-start in the industry. As part of the win, Bridgwater College has also been provided with £2,000 worth of Screwfix vouchers to spend on equipment for their construction centre, helping to continue to provide outstanding services for tomorrow’s trade professionals.

Steve Hopper, Course leader, Furniture from Bridgwater College comments: “Nadia is an outstanding individual who always produces work of the finest quality. She is an inspiration to other students and apprentices and shows what is achievable through hard work and dedication. During the four years she has studied with us she regularly completed a 130 mile round trip from Totnes to Bridgwater College which goes above and beyond the average daily commute, she did this because in her words ‘she wanted to study at the best College in the South West.

“She is modest of her outstanding achievements which are too numerous to mention, but the Screwfix trade apprentice of the year award is the ‘icing on the cake’. I know she will continue to be a role model for other aspiring apprentices, I am proud to have been a part of her training and I know she will pass on her skills to others in the future.”

In its first year, this highly competitive award led by leading multi-channel retailer, Screwfix, aims to recognise and champion the best trade apprentices in the UK.

Andrew Livingston, CEO of Screwfix, comments: “Trade professionals are the backbone of Britain, helping to keep our homes and businesses in working order, therefore it’s vital that education providers, such as Bridgwater College, are training apprentices to a high standard so that we can develop a strong future for the UK trade industry. We launched the Screwfix Trade Apprentice of 2015 award to find and reward the best apprentices and students around the UK. We also aim to highlight trade apprenticeships as a very important career move for today’s youth.

 “Nadia is an example of a young person who we believe will be an outstanding tradeswoman in the future. We would like to wish her the best of luck and look forward to hearing about her future successes.”

The next Trade Apprentice competition will be launching in January 2016.