Apprentice wins regional painting and decorating heats

Caption: NWSLC Painting and Decorating students 

Local students from North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College competed in the Johnstone’s Trade Young Painter of the Year Competition last week.

Johnstone’s Trade hosted the Midlands heat of their competition at the College’s Wigston Campus on Thursday 23 May. The event saw five students, including three from the College, and two from Derby College, battle it out to be crowned regional winner.

NWSLC’s Apprentice Annabel Bethell scooped first place with Corban George, also from the NWSLC, taking second place.

Competitors were tasked to draw up and paint to a set design brief over the space of 6 hours.

Paul Thornewell, Lecturer in Construction at the College said: “These heats are a great way for students to meet peers from across the country and really test their skills in a competition environment. It really helps to build their esteem and confidence in their ability. All competitors produced an exceptionally high standard of work today, we’re extremely proud.”

James Surtees, Technical Training and Technical Applications Manager from Johnstone’s Paint said: “Our parent company PPG are firm believers that the future of the industry relies on us engaging with tomorrow’s workforce; these competitions allow us to do just this. They help young people to develop the knowledge and experience they need to drive forward in their career. Thank you to the event sponsors: Shurtape, Toupret, and tesa who provided the prizes.”

Matt Burnham from Shurtape added: “From our point of view, it is excellent to be investing in the future, we hope these students go on to have long and successful careers.”

The event, which is in its 15^th year, celebrates young painting and decorating talent across the UK and has a total of eight regional finals.

Each competitor receives a goody bag from PPG. First and second place winners also receive a selection of prizes and supplies from the event sponsors.

The regional winners will also be invited to get involved in Johnstone’s Trade’s many charitable painting and decorating projects across the UK.

Click here to find out more about painting and decorating courses at the College, call 0330 058 3000 or email enquiries@nwslc.ac.uk