The nation’s top-scoring apprentices are anxiously waiting to find out if they have been named the Painting and Decorating Association’s Apprentice of the Year 2024.
The popular competition attracted apprentices from across the UK, who battled it out in four regional heats at North Kent College, City of Glasgow College, South and City College Birmingham and Accrington and Rossendale College.
Highest Senior and Junior scorers from each heat were called on to showcase their skills once more at a Grand Final held at Doncaster College this month.
PDA chief executive Neil Ogilvie said: “The competition events are designed to challenge apprentices and test their precision, stamina and skill.
“With just six hours to transform a large blank board into a copy of a complex image, the competition has become a proving ground for young people embarking on a career in colour.
“Apprentices really value this experience, which is sponsored by Purdy Professional Painting Tools and supported by Dulux Trade and CITB.
“I’d like to thank the organisations that support this competition as without them, we would not be able to provide this valuable opportunity to people entering the industry.
“I’d also like to thank Andrew Davis of the Association of Painting Craft Teachers, who gives his time and expertise to join me in judging the work of the competitors at each regional heat as well as at the Grand Final.
“Congratulations to all the apprentices who took part this year – the standard of work was very high, and I look forward to congratulating the overall winners in person at the Premier Trophy Awards next month.”
It’s a special year for both the PDA – which marks its 130th anniversary – and its flagship Premier Trophy Awards ceremony which has been running for 35 years.
Neil added: “As a trade body, we have provided a collective voice for painters and decorators since 1894 and to this day the PDA continues to shine a spotlight on the craftsmanship, skill and professionalism of its members.
“Both the Apprentice of the Year competition and the Premier Trophy Awards are opportunities to fly the flag for excellence in the sector and we are proud to represent painters and decorators who commit to providing quality work.”
The PDA is Britain’s largest trade body dedicated to the sector and represents painting and decorating businesses of all types from sole traders through to large scale national contractors employing hundreds of operatives.
With a proud history and a long-standing legacy of promoting high standards and best practice, the PDA requires its members to be insured and appropriately trained as well as committing to a Code of Conduct that includes providing quality work at a reasonable price.
To find a PDA member near you visit: www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk
