FUTURE ELECTRICIAN FROM LIVERPOOL IS A SCREWFIX TRADE APPRENTICE FINALIST!

Lucas Whelan, an aspiring electrician from Liverpool, has secured his place in the final of the coveted Screwfix Trade Apprentice award.  

From over 1,800 initial applications, just ten apprentices have made the grade and are heading to the two-day event in London next month. 

As well as competing for this prestigious award, which aims to highlight the hard work and dedication of trade apprentices across the UK and Ireland, Lucas, 21, is focused on becoming a professional electrician. Currently studying Level 3 Electrotechnical NVQ at In-Phase Training Ltd, Lewis hopes to impress a panel of industry experts for a chance to be named the winner at the event on 3rd May.   

Lucas was shortlisted for demonstrating his passion, dedication and ambition for his chosen trade, which shone through during the semi-finals. As well as his impressive trade skills, Lucas takes a keen interest in website development. In the future, he would like to design and build a website that can be used as a learning resource, where qualified electricians share their knowledge with those just starting out in the trade.  

He said: “I can’t believe I have made it to this stage of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024! I’m so glad that my skills, dedication, and achievements have secured me a place in the national final. 

“I love my trade and I’m keen to inspire other young people to get into the trade as it can be such a rewarding and exciting career.  

“I’m very proud to be representing the hard work and dedication of all trade apprentices and I’m looking forward to showcasing my passion in front of the judges. To be crowned the winner would be a huge personal achievement and a highlight of my career.” 

The Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024 champion will receive a career boosting trade bundle of tools, tech and training worth £10,000. This, alongside the coveted Screwfix Trade Apprentice title, is everything an apprentice needs to excel within their chosen career.  

This year’s judging panel includes representatives from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, the Federation of Master Builders, the National Inspection Council of Electrical Installation Contracting along with Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2023 winner, Astrid Arnold. 

Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix says: “As always, we have been blown away with the calibre of entries, and every one of the finalists have an incredible work ethic. It is no easy feat to make the final of this competition all whilst maintaining their study and work commitments. They should be extremely proud of making it this far.  

“It has never been more important to acknowledge the fantastic work of the nation’s trade apprentices. As the industry skills gap continues to grow, highlighting the most rewarding and fulfilling aspects of the trade is vital to attracting new talent. 

“Our previous winners have gone on to be trailblazers in their respective trades. I wish our 2024 finalists the best of luck and I’m sure they too will achieve great things.”  

To find out more about the Screwfix Trade Apprentice award, please visit www.screwfix.com/landingpage/tradeapprentice