Dartford Apprentice within reach of National Title

• Lauren Steel has reached the virtual final of the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2021 competition
• Apprentices from across the UK and Ireland have made the top 10
• Top prize is a £10k trade bundles of tools, technology, and training

 The finalists of this year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition are in and a building services apprentice, from Dartford, has earned a place.

Lauren Steel, 25, applied for the competition during lockdown and highlighted her bravery at a career change, ability to breakdown barriers for women getting into a trade, and working in a hospital during the pandemic as reasons why she should earn a place in the final. She then impressed during the semi-final round to make the top 10.

During the final, on 22 and 23 April, each finalist will go through a virtual interview conducted by a panel of industry experts from the Federation of Master Builders, National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting and Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering.

Each finalist will also participate in a bespoke event from Google Digital Garage to upskill on Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategy as well as Writing for Social Media – vital training for when they start out their career. There will also be a product session from Google Nest.

Lauren says: “This is a brilliant opportunity for me – I can’t quite believe I am through to the final! I took a career change from working in an office to join Skanska at the Royal London Hospital as a maintenance engineer. I’m currently in my third year of my apprenticeship and I’m so pleased that I took the decision to try something new. It wasn’t an easy thing to do as I had to take a considerable pay cut and of course transition into an environment that people deem ‘a man’s world.

“As well as learning a new trade, working at the hospital during the pandemic has been challenging. It has been difficult for everyone involved, but we worked together to get through the tough times. I would love to win this award as it would be a real highlight.”

At the end of the two-day session, one apprentice will take home the prestigious title of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2021. Winning will open exciting opportunities for them to profile themselves to the trade and provide a platform to inspire future apprentices.

This year’s winner will receive the career-boosting trade bundle of £10k worth of tools, technology, and training to give them a kick-start to their career in the trade.

Simon Jackson, Screwfix Customer and Digital Director, said: “We’ve had a record number of entries this year from such a talented group of future tradespeople. Apprenticeships are vital to the trade and invaluable to the UK economy and it certainly looks like we are in safe hands with the standard of the applications we’ve seen this year. We’re looking forward to spending some time with our finalists and seeing who will earn the title – good luck!”

To find out more on the Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition, or to get advice about a career in the trade, please visit www.screwfix.com/sfta.