A woman from Burnley who worked to create sensory walls for children with special educational needs has been nominated for an 'Apprentice of the Year' award.
Tegan Wilson, 18, is one of a cohort of students nominated for the first Nelson and Colne Group Student Awards, vying with two other learners for the 'Level Two Apprentice of the Year Award'.
Tegan got little opportunity to pursue a profession whilst at school, and found some of the more academic studies didn’t really excite her passion for learning.
Working with 27 schools catering for children with conditions such as dyslexia and ADHD is particularly important for Tegan, as her 15-year-old brother lives with autism.
Tegan said: “I have created a wall featuring planets; and it is all about connecting children through sense, sight and smell. I just love painting murals!”
Her talent was spotted by her grandad when she helped him decorate his kitchen, hall, and bedroom.
Tegan added: “I had no idea what I wanted to do following school, except it had to be arty as I’ve always enjoyed painting pictures.
“My granddad thought I was a natural and since I was also interested in construction, I looked for courses at Accrington and Rossendale College (part of the Nelson and Colne College Group) and found the perfect one.”
Her confidence increased after she passed maths and English, moving onto level two, finding herself employment, designing her own uniform and getting business cards created.
She recognises that there still aren’t enough women working within the construction industry, but notes that when it comes to college, there are more females than males on her course.
"I guess this means things may be changing”, she said.
Tegan had never won an award in her life before, and when she received her invitation to the Mercure Dunkenhalgh Spa and Hotel-held event, she believed it was a practical joke, “now I think it’s mega”, she continued.
Her nominator noted: “Tegan has demonstrated strong qualities such as punctuality, work ethic, respect, and teamwork.
"She is always up for any task you set her and is not afraid to get things wrong. She has made superb progress in all of her practical and theory sessions, always joining in and striving for greatness.”
Tegan will be using the wages from her work with façade and building specialists PCE Ltd, to pay for driving lessons, so that she can create murals for them all over the country.
Lisa O’Loughlin, the Principal and CEO of Nelson and Colne College Group said: “Our aim is to be an extraordinary college where everyone can succeed, whether that be in technical or academic learning.
"Tegan is a true role model, ambassador for apprenticeships and just the kind of extraordinary learner we are so proud of at Nelson and Colne College Group.”
The very first Nelson and Colne College Group Student Awards take place on Wednesday, June 26.
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