YORK chocolate giant Nestlé has welcomed news that one of its apprentices has won a top award.

Engineering apprentice Jordan Phillips scooped the York Apprentice of the Year (aged 16-24) award at a ceremony in York Minster.

The awards, held last week, were organised by The York Apprenticeship Hub, a City of York Council-led partnership with training providers and the National Apprenticeship Service.

A variety of apprentices, including a York Minster stonemason, were considered. Judges were impressed by Jordan’s personal passion for promoting apprenticeships externally. He has completed his four-year, dual-skilled engineering apprenticeship in the York factory and now works in the Aero maintenance team.

He is a Food & Drink Federation national apprentice ambassador and has spoken with MPs in Westminster on the benefits of apprenticeships.

”I am delighted and honoured,” he said. I have found my apprenticeship to be really rewarding and I look forward to continuing my career at Nestlé.”