North East Apprentice of the year: Reece Hall, Barratt North East, Newcastle

REECE HALL, 17, from Wallsend, is an apprentice bricklayer for housebuilder Barratt North East, currently working at Elba Park, Houghton-le-Spring.

He began his apprenticeship in September last year, with Newcastle College and CITB-ConstructionSkills delivering his training. Despite struggling at school, Reece has turned his life around and become a skilled and highly-valued member of the team at Barratt.

He impressed the regional award judges with his enthusiasm and desire to succeed – always willing to take on new challenges and constantly contributing new solutions to improve efficiency.

He said: "My Apprenticeship has given me a fantastic career opportunity and has also been extremely beneficial to my personal development.

"I have gained so many new skills and am learning more all the time.

"I feel like a really valued member of the team. I am thriving working alongside more experienced members of the team, who are more than happy to pass on their knowledge, but who are also willing to listen to my ideas."