Bright spark apprentice reaches final of competition

Kris Burch, 20, from Marle Green, Heathfield, is a third year NVQ student at Sussex Downs College.

He has been serving an apprenticeship at GM Monks Ld in Hailsham.

Mr Burch won the southern regional final of the Skill Electric competition organised by Summit Skills.

He has gone through to the national final of the competition at Birmingham NEC this October.

Jeff Hayes, curriculum leader for electrical installation, said: 'The electrical team are delighted for Kris. He did himself, Sussex Downs College and his employer proud at the competition.

'All the training at college and fine tuning specific skills has paid dividends, we are so pleased.

'We now look forward to Birmingham and will offer more training and support to Kris.'

Mr Burch did written and practical tests over two days at Highbury College in Portsmouth.

He impressed the judges with his approach to the competition and his bubbly character.

If Mr Burch wins the national final he could be in the World Skills Final, Canada, in 2009.