A GAS apprentice has celebrated reaching the final in a national competition.

Marcus Piper, who is training for a level three qualification in gas engineering at Steve Willis Training Centre in Burgess Hill, was a finalist in the 2020 Screwfix Trade Apprentice of the Year competition.

The 19-year-old is in his first year of an apprenticeship with K & T Heating, which provides gas compliance services for local authorities, housing associations and charities.

Marcus beat more than 15,000 entrants in the competition to make the top ten, and produced a video about his typical day at work and his plans for the future – including one day becoming a trainer for gas apprentices himself.

Marcus’s employer Ryan Potter said: “From day one Marcus has shown all the qualities that we would wish for in an apprentice and a future employee.

“It has been an absolute joy to have Marcus as a member of the team over the past year and we very much look forward to seeing him progress over the duration of his apprenticeship.”

Marcus was presented with cheques for £200 in Amazon vouchers from Steve Willis Training and K & T Heating, who congratulated him on his achievement.

Steve Willis said: “As his trainer and employer, we wanted to reward Marcus for his brilliant achievement. This shows how apprenticeships can give young people the skills and confidence they need to do great things.”