A YOUNG engineer has made it through to the final three in the quest to be named the UK’s Apprenticeship Champion of the Year.

Nichola Mitchell, who lives in Blackburn and works at BAE Systems, is in the final of the prestigious City and Guilds contest after winning a regional final to make an original shortlist of 10.

She is now competing against candidates from The Community Housing Group and Barclays who, like Nichola, battled it out against each other for public votes to make the final three.

Nichola, 22, said: “It is a huge honour to be shortlisted, especially when I see the other candidates for this award.

“Having completed an Advanced Business Administration Apprenticeship at BAE Systems in 2011, I have been a big advocate of apprenticeships, which have given me so much.

“I hope I can be a positive role model for the apprentices of the future, who are looking to take that first step on the career ladder.”

The award, now in its second year, is sponsored by City and Guilds, and aims to recognise strong advocates of apprenticeships, who have achieved great things since completing their own apprenticeship, and who are inspirational role models for others.

Nichola, a procurement engineer on the F-35 programme at Samlesbury, will be hop-ing to follow in the footsteps of last year’s UK winner, fellow BAE apprentice Jenny Westworth, who completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Aerospace Engin-eering.

She was crowned apprenticeship champion because of her significant achievements at BAE Systems, and her role as an education ambassador for the company.

Nichola completed her apprenticeship, before studying for a business degree, spons-ored by BAE.

The winner will be announced at the National Apprenticeship Awards cerem-ony, to be held at The Skills Show, at the LG Arena, Birm- ingham, on Thursday, Nov-ember 14.