HEREFORDSHIRE Council’s Jack Pritchard has been named the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Trainee of the Year.

The LABC award is presented to a trainee who best exemplifies achievement and a commitment to public sector building control.

Jack started out in the trade in 2014 with no experience in the field.

But judges said his enthusiasm has driven him to excel in the role to a very high standard and he has demonstrated in various different capacities that he can cope with the role of being a building control surveyor.

Unknowingly, Jack was nominated by his managers before he received the award at the 2016 Presidents Reception in London.

“It felt good to be recognised by my team for all the hard work and I’m privileged to be awarded this title,” he said.

“When I had finished my A-levels I was unsure of what I should do in terms of career.

"I felt that university wasn’t right for me and I was unsure what the best career path would be.

"I then came across an opportunity at Herefordshire Council to become a Trainee Building Control Surveyor, looked at what the prospects were and felt this was the career choice for me.

“Getting LABC bursary funding in 2014 allowed me to undertake a HNC in construction.

"This two-year course really allowed me to incorporate the practical work I was completing on site with all of the text book knowledge that I was learning whilst undertaking this course.”

He added: “The role of surveyor is extremely challenging as no two days are the same and it has taught me to become more responsible and professional in my day to day work life.

"The support that LABC and my team have given me since I started can be seen throughout my work and it is a great privilege that I have been awarded Trainee of the Year.”