Top apprentice wins ECA Edmundson Award

Michael O’Donovan from T Clarke scoops ECA Edmundson Award for best apprentice

Cardiff-based 22-year-old Michael O’Donovan has been named one of the top electrical and building services apprentices in the country, after winning the coveted 2015 ‘ECA Edmundson Award’.

In addition, 36-year-old Simon Hitchcox of Darke & Taylor in Oxford has won this year’s prestigious ‘ECA Edmundson Award for best adult trainee’.

During an awards ceremony in London on Wednesday, the winners were each awarded a £1,000 prize, a contractor’s tool kit, and a certificate of commendation.  Significantly, they will also take part in a study tour sponsored by a leading manufacturer, and take on a formal role as industry ambassadors.

Apprentice Michael O’Donovan of T Clarke said: “It’s an honour for me to receive this award and recognition. The training I have received from T Clarke has been first class and it’s been a pleasure to represent the company.”

Adult trainee Simon Hitchcox of Darke & Taylor commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to win this year’s ECA Edmundson Award. Working for Darke & Taylor has been a privilege and I’m fortunate to have received such high quality training.”

The ECA Edmundson Award winners were chosen following a rigorous assessment overseen by an independent panel of judges, beating off tough competition from other high achievers in the process.

ECA Skills Director Alex Meikle added: “We’re delighted that Michael and Simon have won this year’s ECA Edmundson Award for best apprentice and adult trainee respectively – a real indication of the talent that exists in our industry.

“Congratulations also to T Clarke and Darke & Taylor, who have long been leading advocates of high quality training across the electrical and building services industry.”

Edmundson Director for Talent Development, Stephen Bull said: “We are delighted to have sponsored this National award for the best electrical apprentices and adult trainees in the country for the last 41 years.

“Edmundson has a long established policy of developing young people within our sector through an apprenticeship scheme and in the last 5 years have also developed a graduate scheme recruiting and training graduates for sales and management roles.

“The electrical industry continues to lead the way in offering great opportunities for young people to develop a rewarding and enjoyable career.”

The 41st ECA Edmundson Awards were held at the Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington, London on Wednesday 16th September, and attended by numerous leading figures from the electrotechnical industry.