Success is in the pipeline for gas apprentices

Success is in the pipeline for a group of gas apprentices who have been awarded top prizes for their work on the region’s gas network.

Three apprentices have scooped top prizes in Northern Gas Networks’ annual Apprentice of the Year awards.

James Telford, 18, from Carlisle, took the top prize for the best second year apprentice; third year winner was Ryan Ellis, 22, from Hull and fourth year winner was Ross Tomlinson, 22, from Gosforth in Newcastle. They each received a trophy and a cheque for £100.

Ryan Ellis was also named the Northern Gas Networks Gordon Water Apprentice of the Year. He is training as a maintenance engineer in Hull, learning the skills needed to ensure the region’s gas network remains safe and reliable.

All the winners were judged on their academic studies which they have undertaken during the past year, for their aptitude on the job, the way in which they work as part of a team and other personal skills.

The awards were made when all apprentices who work on the gas pipeline network were judged alongside each other.

The awards scheme, the Northern Gas Networks Gordon Waters of the Year Award, was launched four years ago following the death of Gordon Waters, a Board member of Northern Gas Networks.

Ryan was presented with a cut glass trophy and cheques totalling £1,100 by Mrs Marion Waters, the widow of Gordon Waters, and Basil Scarsella, the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Gas Networks.

Mr Scarsella said: `Apprentices are the lifeblood of our business, they are the future supervisors, managers and leaders, which is why we invest significant sums in the appropriate training and development and in providing the right environment at work for them to learn and prosper.

`All our winners are typical of the type of young person we need to encourage to work in our business, they are a credit to themselves and our company.’