The award caps off a hugely successful few months for Trish Barnes, who works as an apprentice with The Wrekin Housing Group.

While Trish completes her apprenticeship this summer, she will be employed on a further 12-month contract, while she develops her broader skills and strengthens her position to become an advanced craft tradeswoman.

Trish currently splits her time between on-the-job training at The Wrekin Housing Group and study time at Walsall College.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted and surprised to have won the Apprentice of the Year award. It has taken a little while to sink in. It is a great honour and a testament to the professional and personal support I’ve received from my colleagues here at Wrekin.

"Serving my apprenticeship at Wrekin has provided me with a great kick-start to my career and an amazing environment for me to learn.”

Trish’s plastering career began slowly. After working in retail and business administration, she realised she preferred a more hands-on career in construction.

“I was doing shift work or temporary contracts before my apprenticeship came along,” said Trish.

“I prefer this kind of work to anything I’ve done before. At the end of each working day, I can step back and see what I’ve achieved.”

She continued: “There were some doubts when I first started out. I was a few years older than my classmates and the only female in the group. But this hasn’t held me back.

“The Wrekin Housing Group have supported me from day one. They encourage me to put myself out there as a role model to other young females who might not have thought about a career as a plasterer.”