Lucy Through to Dulux Final
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Walsall College student, Lucy Porter has been named winner of the Midlands heat in Dulux Decorator Centre’s Apprentice of the Year competition.
The budding painter and decorator fought off stiff competition from 14 other apprentices in the heat, which was held at Bournville College on 28th March. Lucy aged 20, successfully completed a practical work piece, which included elements of wallpapering, stencilling, waterborne glosses and special effects all within a set time.
Lucy, who is currently completing her apprenticeship at Walsall College, said: “I am over the moon to have finished first. The competition was a real challenge for us all, but one that I enjoyed immensely. I’m sure the final will be just as demanding, I can’t wait!”
The finals are taking place at Accrington and Rossendale College on 13th and 14th June and Lucy will be competing against seven other regional winners to be crowned 2012 Dulux Decorator Centre’s Apprentice of the Year.
Second place in the competition went to Walsall College student, Jack Baker, who is hoping to qualify for the final as the highest runner up from all the regional heats.
Painting and Decorating Lecturer at Walsall College, Paul Price, commented: “It is fantastic that Lucy has got through to the final, as this is an extremely professional competition, which provides apprentices with a platform to showcase their work and talent.”
At the final, Lucy will have to complete a further set of practical demonstrations, which will test her painting and decorating abilities. The final will then be followed by a presentation evening in Accrington where the winners and runners up will be announced.
Beverley Whitehead, marketing communications manager at Dulux Decorator Centres, the UK’s leading painting and decorating specialist, said: “The competition is now in its fifth year and the standard of skills get higher each year. We’ve had a record number of entrants this year, so all those through to the regional heats should be very proud of themselves. With the talent on display here, the future of the industry looks very bright!
“Lucy did a fantastic job in the Midland’s heat and we wish her all the best in the final.”
For winning the heat, Lucy collected £100 worth of Dulux Decorator Centres vouchers, received a certificate and a goody bag full of decorating materials donated by the company’s suppliers. The final will see the seven regional heat winners and highest runner up from the regional heats, competing for the coveted title of 2012 Dulux Decorator Centres Apprentice of the Year. The winner will also receive £1,000 cash and a variety of other prizes donated from suppliers as well as a host of prizes for their college for all painting and decorating students to use.
