TALGARREG joiner Dion Evans is enjoying a memorable year as he looks forward to representing Wales in the national finals of the WorldSkills UK competition next month.

The talented 19-year-old, who works for Alwyn Evans Ltd in his home village won a gold medal to qualify for the final of the joinery competition in Edinburgh, having won a bronze last year.

In addition, he is also one of three finalists shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year title at the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2022, having achieved a City & Guilds Apprenticeship in Bench Joinery from Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir Gâr.

Winners of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2022 will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on November 10.

Dion began working for Alwyn Evans as a 14-year-old in his spare time and jumped at the chance to join the business on an apprenticeship when he left school with 14 GCSEs.

His contribution to the business has seen workload and profits rise by 20 per cent and freed up Alwyn to take on more work, which includes making bespoke cabinets to staircases.

“My apprenticeship has not only taught me the skills I need to do my job, but it has also made me challenge myself further by entering competitions and pushing to achieve a higher standard,” said Dion.

“I have grown a lot as a joiner and a person.

“Taking part in Skills Competition Wales and the WorldSkills UK national competitions finals has been a great experience and a big confidence boost, giving me a new way of thinking and a more modern way of working.”

His ultimate future goal is to run his own business, having already established a home workshop where he makes garden furniture to hire out for functions.

Dion and his sister, Cara, cycled 75 miles and walked 18 miles earlier this year to raise £17,609 for the chemotherapy unit in Glangwili Hospital in memory of their mother, who died when he was eight years old.

Alwyn said: “Dion is a very reliable and determined young man who always strives for perfection in every task he carries out.”