Just over three years ago, Seth Barton was forced to flee his home country and relocate to the other side of the world.
It was 2019 and Seth was just a young teenager when he had to abandon his hometown of East Gippsland in Australia.
By November, he had arrived in the UK, and watched from afar as his country was hit by the bushfire crisis.
Then the pandemic hit.
Now, the inspirational 17-year-old from Norwich has overcome huge challenges and adversity to be named apprentice of the year at a major industry award.
The young apprentice is currently living in Norfolk on a human rights visa known as a "discretionary leave to remain" visa.
These are given to immigrants where there are exceptional or special compassionate grounds that justify the individual being allowed to stay in the UK.
Because of this status, Mr Barton found himself being rejected from several training programmes – that is until building contractors, Neways Group Ltd, gave him an opportunity.
He began working at Neways aged 16, first as a labourer and assistant, and has now commenced his first-year carpentry apprenticeship at City College Norwich.
He has a 100pc attendance rate and is enthusiastic about discussing and demonstrating what he has learnt.
He is also eager to apply that knowledge and skill on site and beyond, already sharing an ambition to become director of Neways in the next five years.
And he looks to be well on the way.
He has recently picked up a gong at the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) 2023 Central Master Builder Awards and will now be entered into the national awards.
He was nominated by his boss, Simon Tingley, for showing tremendous resilience and determination to get to where he is today.
Mr Barton said: "This was such an exciting moment for me, and I’m so honoured, especially as I’m so young in my career.
"I feel really proud and am looking forward to the opportunities that this could bring as I continue to pursue and grow in my career."
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Mr Tingley added that everyone at Neways was "tremendously proud of Seth’s character" and believes the award will help “benefit and support his overall progress and skill".
He also said: “I hope that through the award others will see what we see in Seth and recognise just how valued he is.”
Alongside his training curriculum, Mr Barton is an active member of his local army cadets, where he has achieved rank of Corporal, and is studying for a diploma in psychology to set himself apart in his trade by having a greater understanding of human behaviour.
Mr Barton added: “I am very grateful to Neways for their unwavering support and continued encouragement.”
The FMB awards recognise excellence in the region’s small and medium-sized construction companies and are run by the FMB, a trade association in the UK construction sector.
The judges called Mr Barton an "outstanding candidate for Apprentice of the Year" who has demonstrated "resourcefulness and a real eagerness to improve himself against odds”.
Ifan Glyn, senior hub director of the FMB, said: “Seth Barton, from Neways Group is a shining example of a determined and hardworking young man and I am delighted he has won the Apprentice of the Year award. Neways Group Ltd should be incredibly proud.”
This year’s awards were sponsored by Isuzu and hosted by radio presenter Mark Jones and held at the Hilton Northampton on Friday, March 31.
Mr Barton will join the other winners going through to the national finals in September.
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