Plastering apprentice wins national award nomination

Stuart Smith with his plastering tutor and colleague, Rob Wilson.

Stuart Smith, a Plastering Apprentice at Hopwood Hall College, has been nominated for the biggest award in the UK plastering industry - the Regional Worshipful Company of Plaisterers’ Student of the Year Award.

The awards evening, hosted in London, recognises the best plasterers learning the trade. Last year, Hopwood Hall College also had a student feature after Tania Riccio made it to the finals.

Should Stuart make it to London, he will be in with a chance of a monetary prize with complimentary tools and a large amount of kudos when accepting the award from the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Speaking after his nomination, Stuart said: “I’m really surprised to have been nominated for such a big award, the Regional Worshipful Company of Plaisterers is as big as it gets in this industry. If I do get to make the trip down to London, it will be a massive achievement for me.

“It’s important for me that I thank my tutor and the backing we’ve had from British Gypsum. I have learned all I have because of my tutor, Rob Wilson, he has helped me develop massively.

“One of the things I didn’t realise until I started my apprenticeship was how much businesses support the education of people who are looking to enter a trade.

“British Gypsum’s financial backing of education has given me the opportunity to do this, an opportunity I wouldn’t have otherwise had. It’s because of British Gypsum’s dedication to education that people like me can fill the skills shortage in trades.

“Overall, I am just really proud to have people think I am good enough to be nominated for such an award.”