Second-year Painting and Decorating Apprentice, Isobel Burnett has made it to the finals of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) Premier Apprentice Award Competition 2023.
This is a significant achievement for Isobel, who has already showcased her skills in the regional heat at South City College Birmingham. The PDA competition is a high-profile event for the industry, and it is a great opportunity for Isobel to network and showcase her talent before finishing her apprenticeship.
The Painting and Decorating Association is a leading professional body for the industry, and its Premier Apprentice Award Competition recognises the most talented and skilled apprentices in the painting and decorating sector. The competition is open to apprentices from across the UK, and the finalists are chosen based on their ability to demonstrate exceptional skill, craftsmanship, and professionalism.
Isobel's success in the regional heat is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and talent showcasing her precision, attention to detail, and ability to work to tight deadlines. Her commitment to excellence and her passion for the industry has earned her a place in the finals, where she will compete against the best apprentices in the country.
The winners will be invited to the PDA Premier Apprentice awards ceremony on Thursday, 6th July 2023, at Plaisterers’ Hall in London. The winners and runner-up of both junior and senior categories will become the Painting and Decorating Association's “Senior and Junior Apprentice of the Year 2023”. They will receive a certificate and voucher generously donated by Purdy International.
Paul Gregory, Head of Learning Skills in Construction at Lincoln College, said: “We are incredibly proud of Isobel's success in reaching the finals of the PDA Premier Apprentice Award Competition, especially given the substantial demand for skilled painters and decorators.
“As an employer-led organisation, we work closely with employers to ensure that our apprentices are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the industry. The competition is an excellent and enriching opportunity for students from across the UK to showcase their abilities and demonstrate their creativity and precision.”
Isobel Burnett, a second-year Painting and Decorating Apprentice at Lincoln College said: “I’m looking forward to the competition following the heat the other week in Birmingham, I tend to get a bit anxious, but it is nice to do something that you don’t necessarily do in day-to-day work, and it is helpful with networking.
“You can meet other competitors from other colleges and see different learning environments. Last year we competed in the SkillsBuild competition at the specialist building at Leeds College. It certainly enhanced my experience of being an apprentice by going to these competitions.
“I participated in the PDA competition last year at the Midlands Heat - my previous issue was speed, as I was a first-year apprentice, and it was my first ever competition. Skillset comes with time and practice – my lecturer Paul has done a lot of prep work with me - teaching me competition-specific skills. I’m grateful for his expertise.”
Isobel's success in the competition is a testament to the high-quality training provided by Lincoln College's Painting and Decorating department and the development possible for students over a two-year apprenticeship or study programme.
Our courses provide apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to succeed in the industry. It is also a great example of the benefits of apprenticeships, which provide a valuable opportunity for young people to gain practical skills and experience while earning a wage.
We are urging people looking at their career options to consider a role in the industry; at Lincoln College, we are committed to providing our apprentices with the best possible training and enriching their experience.
For more information on our Painting and Decorating coursed, please head to: https://bit.ly/3nx8xig
