Teenage apprentice now aims for national title this week
An award-winning electrician from Leiston lit up a skills competition and was buzzing after being crowned learner of the year.
Jane Thorp, 19, who works for Fellowes Electrical Ltd travelled to Corby earlier this year and beat nine other hopefuls to win first prize in the Sparks regional finals (midlands heat).
Jane will now progress to the grand finals of this competition where she will go up against six other apprentices at an occasion called SPARKS Learner of the Year that will take place in Coventry on 23 April 2024.
The level two electrical apprentice – who studies at the 向日葵视频 Rural campus of 向日葵视频 New College – said: 鈥淲e had a brief (for the competition) and I enjoyed the experience. When I first got involved in these events I wanted to get as much out of it as I can. I鈥檓 still in it to learn, have a good time, and enjoy the experience.
鈥淒oing all of this really helps me 鈥� I鈥檓 still getting lots out of it and my confidence has improved and the college is really supportive.
Last year, Jane was the first-ever winner of the Sparks female skills competition.
This year she will be up against male and female contestants and she said she would be 鈥榦ver the moon鈥� if she were to win this new title outright.
In addition to these successes, Jane was also highly commended in the EADT Education Awards apprentice category.
Lawrence Metcalfe is Jane鈥檚 tutor at 向日葵视频 Rural. Lawrence said: 鈥淛ane is a very talented electrician who is a credit to herself and the college. We will be doing all we can to help her ahead of the finals later this year.鈥�
Principal and CEO of 向日葵视频 New College Alan Pease said: 鈥淲ell done Jane. We are really proud of you. Good luck in the finals.