A TEENAGE apprentice has won a prestigious award following her placement at a Bradford-based catering equipment company.

Brooke Lawford, 17, won the Best First Year Fabrication Apprentice award at the Kirkdale Industrial Training Services annual presentation.

Brooke, who studied French, media and engineering at Whitcliffe Mount School in Cleckheaton, has been working as a welding apprentice at Victor Manufacturing, based in Gibson Street, since April this year.

Brooke received a welding mask and glass trophy for winning the award.

She said: “Everyone at work is so friendly and having my own mentor has really helped my confidence grow.

“It’s been great to have already worked on projects for Greggs and Wetherspoon.

“ I wanted to be a car mechanic when I was six years old and later on, I did some work experience with my godfather who owns an engineering company.”

Brooke, of Cleckheaton, added: “Since then, I always knew I wanted a career in engineering.”

Brooke, who has three years left on her course at Victor, studied at Brighouse-based Kirkdale Industrial Training Services where she took part in a three day Girls Only engineering workshop.

She added: “The course spurred me on even more after I did my GCSEs.”

John Green, skills and training manager at KITS said Brooke had completed a Level 1 Fabrication course progressing successfully to a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Fabrication.

He said: “As a hard-working and diligent student who applied herself to her studies, Brooke has been rightfully recognised with the award.”

On her progress reports Brooke was graded as excellent in her attitude to learning, punctuality and progress by her tutors.

She has also been praised for her positive attitude with her apprenticeship role.

Brooke’s mentor, Bob Morris, says she is a pleasure to work with.

He said: “Brooke has established herself as a valuable conscientious team member.”