PORTLAND automotive apprentice Steven Mills was named Trade Apprentice of the Year at South West TAFE’s annual Trades Awards night last Thursday.

Mr Mills has been employed at Portland Mechanical Services as an apprentice for three years and was delighted to achieve South West TAFE’s Trade Apprentice of the Year, and for the second year in a row, Automotive Apprentice of the Year.

“Automotive Apprentice of the Year for third year, second year running, and then I won the overall Apprentice of the Year, and I didn’t expect to be receiving either of them,” Mr Mills said.

“I wouldn't have been able to make it where I am today without the people that I've got hanging around,” he said of his supporting workplace.

Mr Mills has been recognised by his colleagues and South West TAFE for his hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to his studies.

He will soon go in the run for Apprentice of the Year at state level.

Amongst the wins on Thursday night was another Portlander James Williams who works as an apprentice at Kustom Kitchens. He achieved Cabinet Making Apprentice of the Year.