Lydia's the winner of Dorset Echo apprentice contest (From Dorset Echo)

Lydia's the winner of Dorset Echo apprentice contest

3:30pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Rachel Stretton

A CHILDCARE assistant has been named the Dorset Echo Apprentice of the Year.

Lydia Harvey, 17, beat dozens of other entrants in a phone and text poll to claim the title.

The teenager, who works at Haylands pre-school on Portland, is undertaking a Children and Young Person Work-force Level 2 qualification with Wessex Train-ing and Assessment.

She said: “I love working here, the staff are great and I really enjoy teaching the kids their numbers and colours through fun games.”

Lydia works four days a week at Haylands, with children aged between two and five, and spends one day studying different aspects of the job, including child behaviour.

She added: “Before starting here I did some work experience with different schools in the area, and knew straightaway that’s what I wanted to do.

“I enrolled with Wessex and they helped to find me the placement.”

Julie McNally, Haylands pre-school manager, desc-ribed Lydia as “a real member of staff and one of the girls”.

She said: “Her confidence has grown so much since she started here in September and she has progressed so much.”

Lydia’s tutor Lynn, who nominated the apprentice, said: “It’s fantastic news. She definitely deserves this award. She has worked so hard.”

James Tiso, 31, a care practitioner, came second in the competition, and Aiden Ring, 17, an apprentice bricklayer, came third.

Lydia will also receive £100 to put towards equipment of her choice and a framed Echo front page.