QA apprentice named Apprentice of the Year

An apprentice at IT training provider QA has been named Apprentice of the Year ahead of almost 1,000 nominated candidates at an award ceremony in London.

Judges whittled 930 nominations down to a shortlist of just 33 finalists and regional winners before 26 went to a public vote.

After almost 6,000 votes were cast, Andrew Gunn, 21 of West Lothian, was named Apprentice of the Year.

“I was delighted to win the award,” he reacted. “I was surprised as I was up against some fantastic candidates. It is something I will never forget.”

Mr Gunn came to QA Apprenticeships three years ago after deciding an apprenticeship was the right educational route for him.

“Personally for me, further education was not the route I wanted to take after leaving school,” he explained.

“I wanted to get a head start, get my foot on the employment ladder and work my way up within a company.”

He went on to say that QA Apprenticeships found him an interview with The Edinburgh Clinic, which was successful.

Three years into his career at the Scottish private hospital, Mr Gunn has climbed the ranks, advancing from apprentice marketing assistant to business support manager, achieving project management qualifications and an SVQ in business administration.

More than nine in ten QA apprentices secure permanent employment upon completions - 20 per cent higher than the national average.