Knockout success earns Tom a trophy

Tom Snowden receives his trophy from former world champion boxer Barry McGuigan MBE

AN Oldham apprentice has been honoured at a national construction industry ceremony.

Tom Snowden (21), from Lees, was named Top Lightning Conductor Engineer Apprentice at the National Construction College (NCC) East’s annual award ceremony.

And the knockout apprentice was presented with his award by former world featherweight boxer Barry McGuigan MBE.

Tom, who is employed by Osborne Delta Lightning, was among 16 apprentices recognised and presented with an award at the college’s annual ceremony.

Held at the college’s site in Bircham Newton, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, it was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and successes of the college’s apprentices at the site, one of six around the country.

NCC director David Boyden paid tribute to the apprentices and college staff for their hard work and determination over the past year.

Guest speaker at the ceremony, former boxing world champion Barry McGuigan, spoke to the students and guests about what it takes to be a success and achieve your goals.

Mr Boyden said: “We are extremely proud of the successes and commitment of our students and think it is important to take the time to acknowledge the great contribution these young people are making to the future of the construction industry.

“Opportunities within the industry are plentiful, with over 11,000 new recruits needed in the East of England each year until 2012.

“This is due to the number of large-scale building projects currently being undertaken in the area, such as the £1 billion development of transport and infrastructure in the East of England and the regeneration of King’s Lynn.

“These projects all need first-class trainees like the ones we are celebrating today and we are proud to be able to provide the training that will ultimately lead to a fully-skilled construction workforce.”

Construction Skills chairman Sir Michael Latham said: “We already have the best qualified generation of construction workers that the United Kingdom has ever seen.”