THE finalists have been announced for the Dorset Echo Apprentice of the Year Award.

During Apprentice Week, which ran from February 7 to February 11, the Dorset Echo ran a competition to find the brightest and best trainees from across the area.

The 30 shortlisted apprentices were then each given a unique reference number and readers were asked to vote for their favourite to win.

More than a 1,000 text and phone votes came in and today we can announce the three finalists.

Business administration apprentice Chris Nicholls, 19, works for Purbeck District Council.

He was nominated by his manager at the audit department Fraser Monroe for his ‘work ethic, professionalism and likeable personality’.

Chris said: “I was definitely shocked when I heard. I was reading everyone else’s nominations and it’s great to be part of that.

“I feel like I have worked hard and it’s really nice to get recognition for it. I can’t believe I’m in the top three, it’s crazy.”

He added: “I’m really enjoying the training and being part of a team.”

Trainee chef Neil Chainey, 16, works at The New Inn in Cerne Abbas. He is currently doing his NVQ level 2 qualification in professional cookery.

He said: “I’m really pleased. I didn’t expect it to be honest, so it’s a bit of a shock.

“I text all my friends and family to get them to vote for me and they said they would but I’m still really shocked. It’s great.”

Neil’s training supervisor at Weymouth College Catherine Rickards said that he had a ‘natural talent’ for the trade.

She said: “Through his continued commitment, determination and enthusiasm he is developing into a young man showing real flair with a natural talent for his trade.”

The last finalist is 20 year-old hairdressing trainee Zoe Penfold. Zoe works for Aura Hair Design and Studio in Dorchester where she is working towards her NVQ level 2 in Hairdressing.

The salon ran a campaign on Facebook and Twitter to get Zoe into the top three finalists.

Zoe was nominated by her boss Naomi Cox for her enthusiasm for the job.

She said: “Zoe has gained so much in confidence in the two years she has worked here. She has a great personality, great initiative and listens to the clients.

“We are so pleased she is in the top three.”

Zoe said: “I can’t believe it. It’s amazing.

“I was really shocked when I heard and really pleased. We put the number to vote on Facebook, but I was still really shocked.

“I have been walking round the salon with a big smile.”

The finalists will be invited to a special awards presentation at the Echo offices next month, where the winner will be announced by South Dorset MP Richard Drax.