A young car mechanic from Great Ashfield, near Bury St Edmunds, and a construction worker from Stowmarket have won top spots at Suffolk New College apprentice awards

A young car mechanic who works in Bury St Edmunds has put himself in pole position in terms of his future career by winning a top college award.

Joe George, 22, works for the Rawlinson Group, based on Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, and he has just received the Suffolk New College motor vehicle apprentice of the year.

The event, held before national apprenticeship week, was part of an ongoing campaign aimed at shining a light on these qualifications.

The occasion took place at Chefs’ Whites restaurant in Ipswich and saw nine learners scoop accolades for their efforts in subject areas that ranged from engineering to electrical installation.

Joe, who lives in Great Ashfield, said: “I studied A levels and completed them but was unsure of what I wanted to do at university. Instead, I looked at apprenticeships.

“I’ve enjoyed doing an apprenticeship, it has allowed me to learn a valuable skill while having a job and earning money.

“The college has been very supportive - my tutor always answers my questions and helps me when I need.

“In terms of the future, I’d say I want to develop my knowledge and skills in this trade and try to learn as much as possible to further my career. I would eventually like to branch out into different areas of the motor trade and would like to get involved in motorsport.”

Another winner from West Suffolk was Ned Coles who works for Greig and Mills. The 17- year-old from Stowmarket won the Suffolk New College construction apprentices of the year award.

Ned said: “I was very pleased to win this. Going through school I found it better to work with my hands. I did a level 1 course at the college – really enjoyed it – I pushed for an apprenticeship and after a year and a half I got it. Winning this award will help me in the future. It’s something to be proud of.”

All winners received a certificate and a trophy.

The overall sponsors of this event was S & P Ventilation.

A special award was also handed out to Harvey Bell – a BBC apprentice who worked with the college to showcase apprenticeships as part of an eight-part series that aired on Radio Suffolk.

All food was prepared by students under the guidance of staff who run food related programmes at the college’s successful Suffolk Centre for Culinary Arts, based in Chefs’ Whites Restaurant.