Screwfix recently welcomed Maggie Throup MP, Member of Parliament for Erewash, and Alex Avis, reigning champion for Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2022, to the Ilkeston store in Derbyshire.

Throup and Avis, who is from Nottingham, had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Ilkeston store, and met with customers in store and spoke about the importance and benefits of a career in the trade.

Speaking about her visit, Throup said: “It was fantastic to meet Alex and I want to again congratulate him on being named Trade Apprentice 2022.

“Since 2015, over 5,000 people in Erewash have started an apprenticeship, enabling them to learn whilst also working and earning.

“Apprentices like Alex are absolutely essential if we are to build and maintain a skilled workforce for the future and is why the Government is determined to drive up standards through the introduction of schemes such as the Apprenticeship Levy and the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, as well as the new T Level qualification beginning in September.

“I want to also thank Screwfix for championing apprentices and recognising their importance to our local economy.”

Alex Avis, Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2022, commented: “Meeting Maggie, and talking about the importance of apprenticeships, was so enlightening and inspiring.

“In winning Screwfix Trade Apprentice, I feel a great responsibility to help be the voice of apprentices and educate people towards a more positive view of a career in the trade.

“In my future, I see myself running my own business, and would be delighted to pass my knowledge onto the next generation of apprentices. I know just how crucial it is for tradespeople and apprentices to work together and take inspiration from one another.”

Every year, the Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition highlights the vital role apprentices play in the industry and provides support to those starting out in their careers with a £10,000 prize bundle, made up of tools, tech and training.

Internally, Screwfix champions colleagues’ growth too. There are 850 apprentices currently training across the business in areas such as Retail Management, Supervisor, HR, Finance, Data and Legal, and Trade Supplier, with over 80% of Screwfix apprentices who complete the programmes being promoted.