A PLUMBING and heating trainee has scooped the apprentice of the year award. Shane Wright, 18 (pictured), a third-year apprentice with Island Plumbing and Heating, was presented with the award yesterday.

He beat off 14 other College of Further Education apprentices to win the award, all of whom were nominated by their employer. ‘I’m really happy I won, I didn’t think I would,’ said Mr Wright.

From the 14 nominated, seven were shortlisted by a panel of judges made up of Hannah Beacom, managing director of Island Coachways, Guernsey Careers Service’s Sarah Stonebridge, Trevor Wakefield, principal at the college, director of the Guernsey Motor Trades’ Association Paul Le Breton and Alma Harradine, apprentice scheme manager.

Mr Wright was then selected as the overall winner and his boss, John Nobes, director at Island Plumbing and Heating, said he thoroughly deserved the award.