Paul Howard, JCB apprentice, with a specially engraved scale model of a JCB digger to mark his success in the Modern Apprentice competition.

JCB Transmissions employee Paul Howard has been crowned overall champion in a UK engineering competition.

Howard was named the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) 1st Year Modern Apprentice Overall Winner for Wales for Engineering and Engineering Manufacture at a special ceremony in Llandrindod Wells, Powys.

He progressed through to the finals after winning the regional competition in February (Forkliftaction.com News #398).

Howard says the competition was nerve-wracking. "I couldn't believe it when I was announced as the winner. It's a great honour and I'm delighted to have been successful in such a prestigious national competition."