After being crowned winners at JTL’s Regional Awards in March last year, – Ellen Lodge, Arnie Humphreys and Callan Baker automatically qualified for the National Apprentice of the Year 2020 Awards, competing against 12 other regional electrical and mechanical engineering services (MES) winners.

As part of the selection process, the finalists took part in an online interview, and once completed, it was agreed that Ellen should be announced as the overall national winner, with Callan and Arnie being the electrical and MES national winners respectively.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 awards were delayed and the usual ceremony for the JTL National Apprentice of the Year Awards could not take place. Instead, JTL’s chief executive, Jon Graham and national delivery director, Judi Wheeler presented the awards via an online event on 5 February this year.

Mr Graham said: “Our awards are a great opportunity to acknowledge the excellence of our top apprentices, so it’s disappointing that we’ve been unable to recognise our finalists and winners, as well as our dedicated employers in the way we would have liked to. I’m pleased, however, that we were able to hold a special online presentation to mark the occasion and congratulate the worthy winners.

“In my conversations with 2020’s finalists, I’ve been struck by their maturity and commitment to the cause, particularly during this challenging period. It’s been a pleasure getting to know Ellen, Callan and Arnie as part of this process and I want to congratulate them on their achievements. They’ve all certainly got bright futures ahead of them and I wish them the best of luck.'