From Janet Kipling, Exeter 383654, June 27,2008

Devon County Council's Nathan Grimes has beaten off strong competition from IT whizzes from top UK companies to win the eskills UK's Apprentice of the Year title.

Nathan, from Stoke Hill in Exeter, works part time in finance and for the corporate web team.

He was competing against a strong field from BT Open Reach, Mercia, Vodafone, Omega, Derventio Solutions and EDS.

Nathan, who has just turned 19, won the prize for his work in putting together the section of the County Council's website designed specifically for young people, URDevon.

He began his apprenticeship with the Council in October 2006 and became a project support officer for the corporate web team. Nathan worked with young people to create URDevon and has helped to change the way young people regard the authority by enabling them to access information relevant to them.

The section has won praise from young users, Connexions, the Youth Participation Service, and other agencies.

Nathan's entry was supported by Workforce Development Manager Anne Barnett.

"His willingness to develop and take on new challenges enabled us to involve him in a major organisational project," said Anne. "He had to consult with young people, develop ideas, work with a variety of colleagues from within the County Council and its partner agencies.

"He is a great ambassador for the Apprenticeship scheme. Nathan has helped raised not only his own profile but that of the programme."

Nathan Grimes has been studying for an ITQ Level 3 which he has achieved with the help of Academy of Training in Plymouth. Chris Jeffery, managing director of Academy of Training, said: "It is very rare for anyone to try for an ITQ Level 3 and to achieve it. We are very proud of Nathan, he has put in a huge amount of work and very much deserves this award."

ESkills UK said he won the award because of his contribution to the County Council, the wider community, and by demonstrating to others the value of an Apprenticeship programme.

Nathan was congratulated on his outstanding achievement by Executive Member for Performance Improvement, Cllr Des Hannon.

"Nathan is a credit to his county. Our apprentice programme has netted us a whole constellation of young stars, ready to serve Devon's people in new and better ways. To get an idea of how good Nathan is, just look at the list of mega corporations he's left floundering in his wake!" 

Nathan said: "It is incredible to have the chance to get involved with such interesting projects that really do make a difference to the people of Devon. The recognition I have received for my hard work whilst on the Apprenticeship Programme has been enormously motivating and feeds my desire to succeed and move up the ladder within the organisation.

"It also highlights how Devon County Council values its apprentices, and for young people like me starting their careers it makes the experience a lot more enjoyable knowing you are valued. Winning this award has topped off my apprenticeship and proves just how much of a success it has been for me and at Devon County Council."

Devon County Council is recruiting again this summer for its next intake of Apprentices. Anyone interested should contact Tracey Holding, Recruitment Services, on 01392 688208 or email tracey.holding@devon.gov.uk