Andrew Burrows, an apprentice with Blackhill Engineering, has won Apprentice of the Year at the Made in the South West Awards (hosted by South West Insider Media) and will go through to the final of the Made in the UK competition.

David Clensy, the editor of South West Business Insider, said: “The judges were extremely impressed by apprentice fabricator/welder Andrew Burrows, describing him as an ‘all-round outstanding apprentice’.

They noted that he flew through his weld coding test first time, which means that his company can give him any task.”

Blackhill Engineering (www.blackhillengineering.co.uk), part of the SC Group, handles large and complex fabrication and machining projects for customers in various sectors, including marine, automotive, defence and energy.

Its delivery of a 650-tonne steel fabrication contract for the jetty at Hinkley Point C, which Andrew worked on, earned the company two excellence awards from EDF Energy.

SC Group director Lizzie Jones, who attended the awards ceremony, said: “We are thrilled for Andrew; it is a fantastic achievement.

“The company recognises that the future of the business depends on the next generation progressing, so we invest in apprenticeships.”