A 17-year-old girl from Newton Aycliffe was chosen to represent her constituency in a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” to celebrate her talents at 10 Downing Street.

Handpicked by Sedgefield Member of Parliament, Paul Howell, Katie was thrilled to attend the ceremony and represent the constituency.

Her initial thought as she received the invitation email was that it was too good to be true: “it felt surreal!”

“When I received the email, I was sat with my mum, and we assumed straight away it was a scam! A few weeks later, Marcia put the invitation in front of me; my heart dropped, and my face lit up.”

A gracious Katie said:  “The team at BTS continuously make me feel like a valued member of staff.”

The initiative was led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and hosted at The Local Skills Champions’ Reception at 10 Downing Street, aiming to celebrate the businesses across Britain who have committed to developing new talent, and the apprentices who are dedicated to learning.

Katie began working as a business administration apprentice in February 2023 with manufacturing firm BTS Facades and Fabrications, through apprenticeship provider Optimum Skills, where her dedication to her learning was recognised.

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BTS Facades and Fabrications is a manufacturing business which supplies high-quality rainscreen products. Sedgefield MP Paul Howell praises the business, saying “BTS are a warm family firm that works hard to engage their team fully and this includes promoting young talent as apprentices – a fine example of which is Katie.”

BTS’ finance director, Marcia Atkinson, explained: “Apprenticeships are vital to every business and a great stepping stone for young people in our communities. Companies need to invest in young people to help them build skills for the future whilst they can gain experience and earn at the same time.”

She went on to praise her star apprentice, saying: “We’re incredibly proud of Katie, and if she carries on excelling in her apprenticeship and college work, we will have no hesitation in offering her a full-time position within our company.”