Our electrical apprentice Reece Spurdens is celebrating after winning an Apprentice of the Year award.
Reece, who lives in Brandon, won the award through a newly-forged partnership between the Durham City Freemen, New College Durham, Durham Cathedral and the University.
The awards ceremony took place at Durham Town Hall where Reece was among 13 North East apprentices across multiple trades who were recognised for their outstanding work.
The winners were presented with a trophy and certificate by the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon.
Reece, 23, first joined the University aged 19, initially working in retail at the Mountjoy Centre.
He later became a General Services Assistant (GSA), a porter-like role that saw him tackle all manner of hands-on odd-jobs around the University estate.
Reece secured an electrical apprenticeship that involved him studying one day a week at Newcastle College, whilst working at the University the rest of the week.
He hopes to become a fully-qualified electrician this autumn and was delighted to be recognised as a top apprentice with the Freemen award.
He said: “It was really cool, and a nice surprise to win the award.”
Reece was nominated as an Apprentice of the Year by David Profit, our Senior Maintenance Services Manager, who said: “It is wonderful to see Reece receiving the award recognising his hard work and commitment to his studies as he approaches the end of his apprenticeship route to become a fully qualified electrician.”
Picture shows Reece accepting his award from the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon Credit: Geoff Kitson
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