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North East entrepreneur scores at international event

A North East apprentice has scooped a top award at an international event for talented young people.

Chris Lonsdale, a plumbing and heating engineer apprentice from Bishop Auckland, was presented with a medallion for Excellence at the WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Canada.

During four days of competition, 900 people from across the world tested themselves against painstaking international standards ranging from activities such as painting and decorating to floristry and autobody repair.

Chris Lonsdale, a member of the UK team said: “I had an amazing time at the competition and apprenticeship training stood me in good stead.

“I was a bit nervous to start with, but I remembered everything from training and work experience. I was thrilled to be awarded a Medallion for Excellence.”

Chris, who had to draw and install piping as part of the contest, has recently set up his own plumbing and heating business and is City and Guilds qualified having spent the last 18 months training for the event.

The UK was placed seventh in the league table after winning three gold and six bronzer medals.

Skills Minister, Kevin Brennan, added: “Team UK have demonstrated to the rest of the world just how able and highly skilled the UK is.

“It’s more important than ever we continue to support and invest in the skills of our workforce, helping individuals get into work as well as helping businesses stay competitive.”

900 competitors from 46 nations took part in Calgary 2009 and London will host the next WorldSkills Competition in 2011.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .