Sadie Hawkins has been named as Britain’s best advanced apprentice at the National Apprenticeship Awards. The 20-year-old from Winchester is in the second year of a three-year apprenticeship at IBM UK Ltd and is already managing a multi-million-pound project for a major telecoms client.

On receiving her award at the LG Arena in Birmingham, she said: “I am ecstatic, and it is a huge honour to win. I would encourage any young person — boys and girls — to consider an apprenticeship as an option. It has given me a unique opportunity to work towards a fulfilling career, and I aim to use this success to inspire others.

“Joining the IBM apprenticeship programme is the best decision I have ever made. It has been a truly life-changing experience, and the support I have had from colleagues has been fantastic. I truly believe that university isn’t the only pathway to success and that, if you challenge yourself, the possibilities are endless.”