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COLLEGE: Coleg Sir Gar

COURSE TITLE: C & G 2330

COURSE TUTOR: John Williams

AGE: 17

SPARKS: Congratulations on winning the SPARKS UK Apprentice Electrician of the Year 2011 competition - what was your prize?

CHRIS: I won £1,000 worth of Electricfix vouchers and a cut glass trophy. I also got to keep all the tools I'd used in the heat and final. My college will get £500 worth of Electricfix vouchers.

SPARKS: How did you feel when you found out you had won the competition?

CHRIS: Proud. Nervous. It was a great feeling when Craig Phillips announced my name.

SPARKS: Were any of your family able to attend the event?

CHRIS: Unfortunately they couldn't get time off work. My lecturer, John Williams, was there and he helped to give me confidence in the task I had to do.

SPARKS: What new tools are you going to buy with your voucher?

CHRIS: I'll need to give this some thought! I expect I will be buying some power tools.

SPARKS: Who do you work for?

CHRIS: I've worked for Electrical Estimates for the last two and a half years. They employ 15 people.

SPARKS: How did you get the job?

CHRIS: I was very lucky, I guess I approached them at the right time, they were thinking about taking on an apprentice.

SPARKS: Why did you train to become an electrician?

CHRIS: I guess I was influenced by my father. He's a sort of 'all-rounder'. I found myself attracted to the electrical side of things. I really enjoy what I do.

SPARKS: What's your ambition for the future?

CHRIS: My plan is to gain lots of experience and one day I shall start up my own company. I'd like the opportunity to train an apprentice one day.