Member Article

National award for local apprentice

A young technician from Newcastle has claimed a prestigious nationwide award, having been declared Toyota’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’. 20-year-old Michael Dearham beat off competition from 130 other promising apprentices across the country to secure the prize. Michael travelled to Nottingham earlier this month for his final assessment and an awards ceremony where he was announced as the winner.

Michael said: “I was genuinely shocked when my name was announced. “I thought one of the lads back in the workshop had managed to somehow play a prank on me by sneaking my name into the envelope! “I’m delighted with the award and it’s a reflection on my team and my ongoing training as much as me. I hope I can now build on this success and continue to progress my career.”

David Buckland, service manger at Hodgson Toyota, where Michael is completing his apprenticeship, said: “The whole team at Hodgson is thrilled with Michael’s well-deserved achievement. Along with his excellent technical ability, he demonstrates relentless enthusiasm and sheer willingness to learn. “This award honour is just the start for Michael who has no doubt got the potential to be one of the best technicians we’ve ever had in the company.”

Now in the final year of his four-year apprenticeship with Hodgson Toyota, Michael is guaranteed a full-time job on completion of his training.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .