Painting and Decorating apprentices at Walsall College, Tom Wilson and Benjamin Hegedus were awarded with 2nd and 3rd place in the regional round of the Johnstone’s Young Painter of the Year 2016 competition. During the regional final, which took place at Novus Solutions in Stoke on Tuesday 17th May, the young Level 2 painters both 17 completed tasks devised by the experts at Johnstone’s, to test their skills in a number of key areas including working to a technical specification, applying different types of paint, selecting and using tools and applying stencils.
Painting and Decorating Assessor at Walsall College, Paul Price, said: “They both narrowly missed out on a place in the final, but they did exceptionally well to even make it to the regional heat, as the competition was very strong. I am incredibly proud of their efforts and so are their employers.”
Tom, who is completing his training at D Wheller Painting & Decorating in Birmingham, said: “I’m really pleased to have come second as the competition was tough, but it pushed me to challenge myself and do the best that I could. Hopefully next time I can go one better and make the final.”
Curriculum Manager for Painting and Decorating, Barry Hill said: “Taking part in competitions is a great way for students to test their skills against their peers, push their creativity and talents to the next level and reach their full potential before they enter the industry professionally.”
