Lucianne Scoops Regional Apprentice of the Year Award
Date: 01/09/2009
On the 16th July, 2009, NLTG apprentice Lucianne Hinch attended the National Apprenticeship Awards in London following her first place success at the Regional Apprentice Awards (Yorkshire and Humber), this year. Lucianne achieved a highly commended award during the evening and was placed runner up for the National Apprentice of the Year. The upholstery apprentice from Ossett, West Yorkshire, along with her company describe the events running up to the awards, her apprenticeship so far and plans for the future.
A quote from the company - D C Contracts,
The upholstery department in our business was in its infancy when Lucianne joined us in 2006. Having had forty years experience in upholstery and several trainees, I was initially unsure if a seventeen year old girl would be physically capable and have the right attitude towards a job which is skill based (hands on) and can be hard work. It didn't take me long to realise that Lucianne is a very determind young lady who does not shy away from hard or difficult tasks. Her determination to achieve a high standard in all the upholstery jobs she undertakes gives me confidence in her ability to become an excellent, fully skilled upholsterer.
She has the ability to look at jobs, assess the best way of proceeding with the job and decide the appropriate order that the work should be undertaken. Her bubbly personality and pleasant manner with customers, backed up by her knowledge and eye for detail, make her an important member of our team. Lucianne is often the first person that customers speak to, so giving a good impression is important. Lucianne records the details of customers' requirements and advises on different fabrics, colours and trimmings which alleviates any problems when the work is completed.
Due to Lucianne ,we can now offer a much better service with good customer relations. Our volume of work has increased significantly and we are manufacturing more new bespoke suites and seating. Lucianne is especially happy and enthusiastic when working on antiques; she believes it is good to arrive at work in the morning with a roll of fabric on the table and a broken old chair at its side and by the end of the day she can stand back and admire what a job she has done with the chair. That is job satisfaction at its best.
A quote from Lucianne,
I was always steered towards university at school. However, I have always been good with my hands and I enjoy getting stuck into anything and knew university was not for me. When I got the job at D C Contracts I was delighted. The fact that I would be working with a man was quite scary. As a young woman, I felt I had to prove myself. This has made me a strong, confident person.
The opportunities that are available through skilled work are immense. My apprenticeship gave me an amazing opportunity to take a two day trip to Paris with the AMUSF (Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishes). The purpose of the trip was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the French Leonardo Exchange Programme. I took the trip with three men who I had never met before. We joined over 10,000 other European learners, some on comparative furniture programmes and others learning different trades from plumbing to hairdressing. I was able to gain a first hand insight into the diversity and range of industry wide opportunities and qualifications available within the EU whilst experiencing an educational and cultural visit to the host country. This experience would not have been possible without my apprenticeship.
I have learnt an incredible amount through my apprenticeship and have experienced first class tutoring from both my supervisor and my Training Officer which has enabled me to achieve a distinction in the technical certificate part to my NVQ qualification. I also won the North Lancs Training Group Apprentice of the Year Award for upholstery. I was then entered by my training provider into the CoLaS Apprentice of the Year Awards. I proceeded through the initial stages which took me as a finalist to the Regional Apprentice Awards. I was then announced winner of the Apprentice of the Year category for Yorkshire and Humberside. I will now attend a ceremony in London to see if I can become National Apprentice of the Year.
At the National Apprentice of the Year awards, held at the Old Billingsgate, London, I achieved a highly commended award and have been recognised as one of this year's top three apprentices in Britain. I received a £500 cheque and a wonderful chrome plated, engraved trophy.
I am so proud of my achievements and I would encourage any other apprentices to enter the awards next year. The whole experience has given me the confidence to take my career to the next level.
I would like to thank my Training Officer, Graham Cornwell, and all the staff at NLTG.
