BRIGHT spark George Anderson is celebrating after being voted one of the top electrical apprentices in the country.
The 19-year-old, from Evesham, who works at Ford Electrical, in Willersey, near Broadway, was named runner-up in the prestigious Electrical Industry Awards ‘Apprentice of the Year’ category.
George was nominated for the Electrical Industry Awards by Ford Electrical’s Operations Director Jack England, who described the talented youngster as an “outstanding apprentice.”
The teenager received his award at the showpiece event held recently in London, said: “This was one of the proudest moments of my life considering I faced tough competition from throughout the country.”
George, who achieved eight GCSEs at Evesham High School, is three years into a four year NVQ Level 3 apprenticeship in Electro Technical Services.
“I simply didn’t want a large debt by going to university and believed an apprenticeship would give me a job for life as well as a rewarding career,” said George.
“I first thought about becoming a mechanic, as I love motorbikes and I used to race.
“But, when I was offered an apprenticeship with Ford Electrical, I jumped at the chance. Once I qualify as an electrician, the world is my oyster.”
“One week, I could be working in a school, the next a complete re-install at a council-run residential home for elderly people.
“I still remember my first time on-site – Abbey Wood Primary School in Redditch. It was a massive job and at 16 I was a bit overawed.
“I also had to get used to the banter on-site. But I got on with it and three years on, I’m glad I did,” he added.
George currently attends a local college once a week to help complete his NVQ qualification – a mix of theory and practical learning.
He has already been offered a full-time job at the end of his apprenticeship next September.
Mr England said: “George has progressed quicker than any other apprentice I’ve ever known and that includes myself!
“He has a mature and common sense approach beyond his years, always turns up and never, ever lets us down. He’s become an integral part of the team.
“George is incredibly keen, always asking questions, and will without doubt, soon become a highly-skilled, fully competent electrician.
“With his confident people skills and maturity, he could very well go on to work for himself in the future,” he added.
