Leicestershire

MIKE WALDRON, an apprentice floor fitter from Leicestershire, has reached the final of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2023.

From 1,700 entries, the top 10 have been selected to attend the national final in May.

One winner will be named Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2023 and receive a career-boosting trade bundle worth £10,000.

Ten ambitious apprentices, including Mike Waldron, an aspiring floor fitter from Leicestershire, will go head-to-head to be crowned Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2023. The national award aims to highlight the hard work and dedication of trade apprentices across the UK and Ireland, with the champion receiving a career-boosting £10,000 trade bundle made-up of tools, tech and training.

Mike, 29, who is currently studying Floor Laying at Floortrain, will be looking to impress a panel of industry experts at a national twoday final in London on 2 and 3 May. He said: “The award is almost in touching distance now and being one step closer to the final is exciting, but a bit nerve-wracking too!

“Taking the leap to leave a stable career to find an apprenticeship was a risk, but it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. To be crowned the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2023 would be such a fantastic achievement, and I’d love to use the award to help encourage others like me, who are considering switching careers, by shining a light on some of the brilliant opportunities a career in the trade can offer.”

Mike was shortlisted as his passion, dedication and ambition shone through in the semi-final stage. In particular, his long-term ambition to set up his own company and help train the next generation of tradespeople stood out to the judges.

3.63m x 4.79m max, Cloak/WC, Lounge 4.40m x 4.78m, Sitting Room 4.25m x 4.63m, Breakfast Room 3.93m x 3.68m, Kitchen 3.79m x 3.04m.