Church Village's Kirsty is one of the UK's top learners
Gas engineer Kirsty Hollinshead of Church Village has reached the UK final of an awards scheme aimed at promoting practical learning.
She was named Wales' Practical Learner in the Edge Awards earlier this year and joined the UK finalists in London.
Kirsty, 24, who works for social housing specialist Connaught Plc, narrowly missed out in the final round of judging and was pipped at the post in the race for the national title.
Edge is an independent foundation dedicated to raising the appeal and status of vocational and practical learning among 14-25 year olds of all levels of ability.
Kirsty is a lead gas engineer for the Merlin Homes team of Connaught Wales, one of the largest social housing maintenance companies in the UK with a UK order book of £2 billion.
She set her sights on a career as a gas engineer early on and during her apprenticeship she gained a job with Connaught Wales. Having successfully completed her quaifications, she is a key member of the gas maintenance team, travelling across South Wales on a daily basis maintaining gas appliances in residents' homes.
Kirsty - who won a £2000 prize after being names Wales' Practical Learner - was thrilled to have made the national final. She said, "I was really happy to have been recognised as Wales' Practical Learner and going forward to the national final was an achievement in itself. I look forward to carrying out further personal development and training, which will be aided by the prize money.
"Working at Connaught has given me so many opportunities to further myself within the company, through training and learning new skills. I believe the work that Edge does is very important in encouraging businesses to give young people the chance to try out vocational career paths, to work out which one is right for them."
Huw Evans is Regional Training Manager at Connaught Academy in Caerphilly where Kirsty trains. He said, " We are all extremely proud of Kirsty. Through her career, she has overcome many barriers associated with working in a male dominated industry and embraces her job with endless energy and enthusiasm.
"Kirsty should be extremely proud of her achievements and the fact that she has firmly established herself as an integral part of the Connaught business."
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