Apprentice takes home award.

AN apprentice from Wallsend building services and green energy specialist John N Dunn Group has won one of the construction maintenance sector's biggest accolades.

Steven Elder, 22, recently completed a Newcastle College course while gaining onsite training with the firm and has just picked up the Best Plumbing Apprentice of the Year at the HVCA awards.

The HVCA awards, held at Ramside Hall in Durham, celebrated the best apprentices in the North East.

Mr Elder said: "I was really pleased and shocked to have won this award as I work with many other great apprentices and the competition was really tough."

Chief executive of the John N Dunn Group, Stephen Bilclough said: "It is a fantastic achievement for our apprentices to have competed at such high standards.

"Steven was nominated by his supervisor and was then put forward to the HVCA award.

"We have recruited eight new apprentices this year across the group despite the current economic climate as we believe it is vital to invest in the long-term future of the industry."

Ian Ramsey, plumbing training officer for JTL, which manages John N Dunn's apprentices, said: "Steven produces a good standard of work both on site and at college. He is an outstanding candidate who is a very deserved winner.

"I have also nominated Steven for our internal JTL Awards alongside apprentice Luke McLoughlin."

CAPTION(S):

ACHIEVEMENT Steve Elder, centre, of John N Dunn accepting his award from members of the HVCA.