A YOUNG bricklayer who has wanted to go into the trade since he was at school has proved his talents by being named Warwickshire College’s Brickwork Apprentice of the Year.

Luke Peckover, 18, was presented with a certificate, cheque and voucher at an awards evening.

Mr Peckover, who lives in Shipston-on-Stour, said: “I won an award for Outstanding Brickwork Student of the Year before and now I’ve got Brickwork Apprentice of the Year so it was a bit of a shock. The company’s really pleased as well.”

He works for the Banbury office of Morgan Sindall four days a week and studies at Warwickshire College’s Moreton Morrell Centre for one day.

He added: “It’s really good and it’s very interesting. I do a different variety of work. I do drainage, tiling, bricklaying and a bit of plumbing. I do the theory in college and on site I can get the practical skills I need and it works well like that.”

Mr Peckover is keen to get on in the building business, which runs in his family, as his father is a bricklayer by trade. “I did work experience with a part of the company before, Morgan Ashurst, and I have known from about 12 I wanted to be in building,” he said.

Dave Richardson, employer engagement manager for construction at Warwickshire College, said Mr Peckover had completed his Level 2 apprenticeship and was now progressing to a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

He said tutors at the college had singled Mr Peckover out for the award for being the most outstanding apprentice because of his dedication to his work, his performance and his abilities.

Gary Lucas, Morgan Sindall area director, said: “He’s a very conscientious lad and he's been very proud of what he’s achieved. He was straight in here to see me when he got the award.

“He's pleased with what he's achieved and he's ambitious and he wants to improve all the time, which is just what we’re looking for in an apprentice. He’s a very forward-thinking lad.”

With Morgan Sindall Mr Peckover has worked on housing construction sites and on a new police station near Oxford.