Echo's Apprentice of the Year is presented with her prize (From Dorset Echo)

Echo's Apprentice of the Year is presented with her prize

2:00pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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BEAMING Naomi Fear received her Dorset Echo Apprentice of the Year Award prizes in a presentation ceremony.

She was handed a framed front page and certificate by South Dorset MP Jim Knight at the Dorset Echo offices on the Granby Industrial Estate.

Customer service advisor Naomi, aged 18, who works at Stag Office Products in Weymouth, will spend her £100 prize money on a Waterman pen and a leather briefcase.

Naomi was named top apprentice in south and west Dorset after she won the first Dorset Echo Apprentice of the Year Award. Naomi said: “I was pleased to win.

“I am not sure where to hang the front page yet, at home or in the office.

“Thanks to all of our customers, friends, family and everyone else who voted for me.”

Naomi added: “I would certainly recommend apprenticeships to young people.”

Systems engineering apprentice Nicholas Thomas, 20, of BAE Systems in Weymouth, came second.

Car mechanic Darren Bush, 20, of Dunning Automatics Ltd, came third. Nicholas and Darren each received a framed certificate.

Mr Knight, who is also Employment Minister, said: “Apprentices are the skilled workforce of the future.

“I would strongly recommend to young people and their parents that they look seriously at this route to gaining skills and a job.

“Apprenticeships also allow young people to earn while they learn.”

He added: “I would urge young people to emulate other past apprentices such as Jamie Oliver and Sir Alex Ferguson.”

Some 25 young people were nominated for the award.

Readers had the chance to vote for their favourite. The contest was such a success that it will be repeated next year.