A Malvern teenager is in the running for an award from the Learning and Skills Council.

Kris Box, a former pupil at Dyson Perrins CE High School, is a two counties finalist in the young learner apprentice category of the Learning Achievement Awards.

He recently completed an apprenticeship in administration at PumpMaster UK in Worcester, with a weekly training day at Worcester Business College.

"The college and my employer thought I did really well, so put my name forward for the award," said Kris.

Although he is now settled in his job, the 19-year-old said he did not have the easiest start to his career.

After giving up A'level studies and working for Somerfield in Great Malvern for a year, he felt he needed more experience.

"I couldn't find anything I wanted to do in the area, then my friend told me he'd done an apprenticeship," said Kris.

"I went to the Connexions agency in Malvern, as they had all the knowledge about jobs available here."

Kris tried his hand at several things, before being offered his current position.

"The great thing about an apprenticeship is that you get a job and you are learning as you go along," he said. "I get to do design work and web design, which I'm really interested in. I also get the chance to learn about different areas of the business."

Having completed his level two foundation apprenticeship qualification, Kris is now moving on to level three.

He said: "Getting to the finals of the Learning Achievement Awards was a real high point for me. I never thought I could do something like this."

The awards ceremony takes place in Malvern Theatres on March 31.