Naomi is Dorset Echo Apprentice of the Year (From Dorset Echo)

Naomi is Dorset Echo Apprentice of the Year

9:00am Wednesday 24th February 2010 in News By James Tourgout

CUSTOMER service advisor Naomi Fear has won the Dorset Echo’s Apprentice of the Year Award.

She scooped the title after beating 25 finalists from workplaces in south and west Dorset in the inaugural contest.

Naomi, aged 18, who works at Stag Office Products in Lynch Lane, Weymouth, finished ahead of second placed Nicholas Thomas, of BAE Systems in Weymouth, and Darren Bush, of Weymouth-based Dunning Automatics Ltd, in third.

Naomi, who lives in Tophill, Portland, said: “I’m really pleased. I didn’t expect to win as there were so many good apprentices in the final.

“I thought an apprentice from the county council would win as there are lots of people who work there and would vote for their candidates.

“My thanks go to everyone who voted for me and to the Stag customers.”

Naomi started at Stag last June. She attends Weymouth College for half a day a week as part of her apprenticeship.

She expects to finish her NVQ level II and III in business administration by December.

Naomi has overcome a condition which caused her seizures from an early age and has a pacemaker fitted.

She said: “I am absolutely fine and have check-ups now and again.”

She added: “I really enjoy working at Stag.

“It is a really good working atmosphere and I have become a lot more confident.”

Stag managing director Simon Marfell paid tribute to Naomi and said the company was inspired to take on another apprentice after her success.

He said: “I am thrilled to bits for Naomi.

“She is a credit to herself and to all of us.

“She is a smashing young woman who has come on leaps and bounds since joining us.

“She has become a confident young woman who is great with our customers.

“I am grateful to Weymouth College for finding her for us.”

He added: “We were so impressed with Naomi that we have taken on another apprentice, Holly White, who is 17, and doing well.”

Naomi has won a certificate, a framed front page and £100 worth of equipment towards her career development.

Echo promotions manager Debbie Hellaby said the response to the competition was great.

She added: “The number of nominations and the response to the competition was fantastic.

“Our thanks to all of the apprentices, all those who nominated them and everyone who voted.

“Naomi was a very deserving winner and our congratulations go to her.

“We intend to run the competition next year again as it was such a success.”

Apprentices were nominated from such workplaces as Dorset County Council, garages, BAE Systems, nurseries and pre-schools, veterinary surgeons, shops, farriers and Global Marine Systems on Portland.

The competition was held to mark national Apprenticeship Week at the start of February.