Electrical apprentice Olivia Parkin, a student at Coleg Gwent, has reached the finals of the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2020.

Olivia Parkin is one of just three electrical apprentices shortlisted from a field of many thousands.

Screwfix said that Olivia was selected for the sheer passion for the trade, demonstrating how she is already going above and beyond the call of duty for her college, employer (Green Park Power in Abergavenny) and customers.

Olivia Parkin, 21, said: “I am really excited about the final and potentially winning, not just for me, but for all the women out there to see a female tradesperson making it to the final and, potentially, being crowned this year’s winner. I hope to inspire anyone looking to join the trade industry. I plan to specialise in renewable energy and would love to run my own business in the future.”

Soon the finalists will get the opportunity to share their experiences and ambitions as an apprentice, with a panel of industry-leading judges. The panel includes representatives from the NICEIC, CIPHE, FMB and Screwfix Britain’s Top Tradesperson 2019, Darren McGhee.

Danielle Sweet, Screwfix spokesperson, said: “The finalists have done incredibly well to get this far. Apprenticeships are vital to the construction trade and invaluable to the UK economy. Each year the standard of entries in our competition is exceptional and all the finalists have proven they have a promising career ahead of them. I’d like to congratulate Olivia for getting to the final and wish all of our top apprentices the best of luck.”

A spokesman for Green Park Power, which surveys, designs and installs, solar power and energy storage devices, said: “We are incredibly proud to see Olivia in the final, she works exceptionally hard and has been an absolute credit to the company. For us she is already a winner, and we wish her the best of luck in the final.”