A 16-year-old trainee at Hampshire broadband provider Onestream has beaten competitors from across the South to be named Apprentice of the Year.
Ollie Baxendale took the top accolade at the PETA Alex Zemenides Apprenticeships Awards for his work at Onestream, where he was trained on the job in telesales, product knowledge, company systems, and customer service.
He was one of 21 candidates nominated by assessors for the title of Apprentice of the Year in a scheme run by PETA. PETA, formerly known as Portsmouth Engineering Training Association, is a major apprentice training provider and has around 360 apprentices working with employers across the region.
After winning the Business category - one of four categories which also included IT, Engineering and Management - Ollie was named the overall winner for 2018 and was presented with his award by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Ken Ellcome, at a ceremony in Portsmouth.
The award comes less than a year after Ollie joined Whiteley-based Onestream, part of business communications provider Onecom.
Darren Searle, Onestream's Head of Telesales who has overseen Ollie's training, said: "Ollie has been outstanding in every aspect of his role.
"Considering Ollie has chosen to work within the sales industry, which can be very difficult to adapt to, he has shown real maturity and professionalism since joining Onestream and his figures speak volumes."
Darren Ridge, CEO of Onecom, said: "Many teenagers are looking to get real-life experience and training in the workplace and this scheme allows them to do that and quickly step up the career ladder."