A 25-year-old carpentry apprentice from Cheltenham has won the Amazon Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award at 2023 National Apprenticeship Awards.

Amy Brown won the regional title in October. She has now been crowned as the winner among eight national finalists, each with a powerful story to tell and representing a diverse range of sectors across the UK.

Nominated by her employer Tombs Developments Ltd, Amy's success is a testament to the impact of apprenticeships. The Cheltenham-based building contractor hired Amy as an apprentice with no prior industry experience, however her skills have developed rapidly through her dedication and hard work.

Dominic Cook, director at Tombs Developments Ltd, said: "We are so proud of Amy becoming a national apprentice of the year, and for all that she has achieved since joining Tombs Developments. She is a highly valuable member of our small team.

"Being able to trust Amy to work independently and to a good standard is a huge bonus to us as employers. Amy embodies the concept that hard work and dedication really do pay off."

Amy's development has been supported by her carpentry training at Gloucestershire College, where she has honed her craft in purpose-built workshops under the guidance of industry experts.

Sam Olaleye, training coordinator at Gloucestershire College, said: "I am absolutely buzzing with pride! Seeing Amy achieve the National Apprentice of the Year Award in London was incredible. She has worked so hard.

"It's a pleasure being her training coordinator and encouraging her throughout her studies at Gloucestershire College. Mentoring young people beginning to end, with the highs and the lows, is what it's all about."

Amy's journey started when she decided to get qualified in a trade, a career often perceived as male dominated. She wanted to learn from someone with experience and acquire skills in a hands-on environment.

Now in the second year of her apprenticeship, Amy has been enjoying the diverse nature of carpentry tasks, whether it be working on skirting, reinforcing timber structures, replacing porch posts or restoration projects. In every project, her work has consistently met the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

Amy said: "I am very proud to have won the Amazon Intermediate Apprentice of the Year title. It's an experience I will never forget.

"I think it's so important that we get more females in construction. After finishing school, I didn't think it was an option for a girl to do a trade, as A Levels and universities are traditionally pushed as a better route, ignoring some students' natural abilities.

"I hope that maybe one girl will see this and realise that she can start a career in trade too with an apprenticeship. And then she will inspire another girl, who will inspire another, and the domino effect will finally get more women into construction.

"I am grateful to my employer and trainers at college for supporting and mentoring me, and I hope to continue to advocate for females and apprenticeships and trades as much as possible."