Drax : 14 February 2018 - Brothers claim top prizes at apprenticeship awards

It was a night of sibling success at the Drax Power 2018 Apprenticeship Awards, with brothers James and Lewis Marran scooping three of the top five accolades at the ceremony.

James, aged 23, won 4^th Year Apprentice of the Year in his role as an Electrical Craftsperson Apprentice at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire. Younger brother Lewis, 19, was awarded Business Apprentice of the Year for his work as a procurement and business support apprentice.

In addition to being crowned 4^th Year Apprentice of the Year, James also won the newly-created Paul Chambers Overall Outstanding Achievement Award.

The brothers from Doncaster both impressed the judges, who described Lewis as 'a great role model for other Business Apprentices' and James as 'one of the most competent apprentices of recent times with the potential to develop into one of Drax's best craftspeople'.

James said: 'Completing my apprenticeship is one of my greatest achievements and be rewarded further as an outstanding apprentice was an even greater one.

'It was an honor to have worked alongside Paul Chambers and so I'm incredibly proud to receive the Paul Chambers Overall Outstanding Achievement Award'.

Lewis added: 'Drax has offered me a brilliant grounding as an apprentice, allowing me to develop new skills and abilities which has led to a successful appointment within the Procurement team. To be the recipient of this award is most rewarding and I consider this as an excellent achievement, in what I hope is a long and prosperous career at Drax'.

The Year 2 Apprentice of the Year was 21-year-old Josh O'Rourke, 21, from Goole, who works as an Electrical Technical Apprentice. Judges described Josh as 'mature, with a real focus and a drive to succeed.'

Year 3 winner, Daniel Riley, 19, also from Goole was praised for the 'quality and accuracy of his work' and his 'positive response to instruction and quick learning' in his position as a Mechanical Technical Apprentice.

The awards were presented to the winners by BBC Look North presenter Clare Frisby and Drax Power CEO Andy Koss, at a ceremony at Drax Sports and Social Club, near Selby.

Clare Frisby added: 'It was a real pleasure to play a part in recognising the talent, skill and determination of all of the apprentices - it was a very inspiring event. Well done to everyone involved - but especially the winners, and James in particular.'

Andy Koss, Drax Power CEO, said: 'James, Lewis, Daniel and Josh have all excelled - demonstrating enthusiasm, drive, positivity and professionalism in every aspect of their work as apprentices.

'Special congratulations go to James as the winner of the Paul Chambers Award - he has consistently received outstanding feedback about his work and I know he will go on to make a brilliant craftsperson.'

Drax will be offering apprenticeships over the course of the year in business support areas, such as finance and business administration. Technical Apprenticeship applications are closed for 2018. All opportunities are advertised online.

More information about apprenticeships at Drax is available on the website.