The awards are sponsored collectively by the Guernsey Motor Trades Association, whose president, Robert Cornelius, spoke at the event. Senior lecturer in motor vehicles and engineering Ian Tulie announced the winners, and representatives of the sponsoring companies presented the awards.
Mr Tulie said the awards went to the most improved apprentice in each of the four years of the apprenticeship.
As well as a trophy, each winner received a £100 tool voucher from their sponsor.
Kai Correira, of Boatworks+, won the first-year award, sponsored by Guernsey Auto & Electrical Supply.
Conor Ballard, of Island Coachways, received the second-year award, sponsored by Paul’s Motors.
Sun Sport Marine’s Dan Clark was the third-year winner, sponsored by Le Mont Saint Garage, and Joshua Bougourd took the fourth-year award, sponsored by Trust Ford Guernsey.
Mr Bougourd has spent all four years of his apprenticeship at Forest Road Garage, where he is now employed full-time.
‘I’ve always been interested in cars,’ he said. Away from work his interest is on a smaller scale: he races remote-controlled cars.
He said he had enjoyed his apprenticeship.
‘It’s been really good there and we’ve taken on a first year now.’
Mr Correira’s day job is working on boats, but his hobbies include local motor sport events such as the hill climb.
‘I used to do sailing competitively when I was younger, and when I was a sixth-former I had a weekend job at Boatworks+,’ he said.
Seeing his interest in engines, the company moved him into the boatyard earlier this year, and he has stayed there for his apprenticeship.
Presenting Mr Clark’s award, Mr Tulie said his favourite toy had been a spanner since he was about three.
He had been something of a ‘reluctant academic’ in the first half of his apprenticeship, but his enthusiasm had recently been awakened, perhaps helped by a visit from a representative of Mechanics Mindset, an independent automotive diagnostics training platform.
Mr Ballard, meanwhile, had ‘come of age professionally’ over the past year, said Mr Tulie.
His enthusiasm in the classroom had carried over into the workplace, and Island Coachways was said to be thrilled with his work ethic and development.
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