A talented Coleg Ceredigion joinery student came runner up in for the Apprentice of the Year award at the 2022 Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. 

 Dion Evans,19, who works for Alwyn Evans Ltd in his home village of Talgarreg, Llandysul was announced runner up at a virtual awards ceremony on November 10. 

Apprenticeship Awards Cymru highlights the outstanding achievements during unprecedented times of employers, apprentices and work-based learning practitioners.

Dion has also qualified in a recent regional competition where he was scored within the top eight competitors in the UK which has propelled his success to compete again at this year’s national final which will be held in Edinburgh.

He said: “My apprenticeship has not only taught me the skills I need to do my job, but it has also made me challenge myself further by entering competitions and pushing to achieve a higher standard.I have grown a lot as a joiner and a person.

“Taking part in Skills Competition Wales and the WorldSkills UK national competitions finals has been a great experience and a big confidence boost, giving me a new way of thinking and a more modern way of working.

“What I have learnt during my apprenticeship, combined with the support and encouragement that I have received from Alwyn, has given me the tools I need to become a skilled and successful tradesman in the future.”

Dion’s ultimate future goal is to run his own business, having already established a home workshop where he makes garden furniture to hire out for functions.