Community regeneration specialist Keepmoat’s trainee site manager Sam Bispham has won the national Outstanding BTEC Construction Student of the Year award at a ceremony in London.

The 21-year-old was picked from nearly 1,000 nominations to win the award, which celebrates achievement in the country’s most widely taken vocational qualification.

Sam began his career in construction with Keepmoat in January 2015, after seeing a vacancy advertised through West Nottinghamshire College, where he was studying a BTEC Level 3 diploma in construction and the built environment.

Sam was given the opportunity to support the site team based in Mansfield at the build of Poppy Fields, a £10.4m extra care development for Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.

Sam said: “I was thrilled when I acquired the position with Keepmoat as I wanted to put the knowledge I had been taught at college into practice. Over the past year I have been able to work as part of a team, make decisions, distribute work, use my own initiative and liaise with the client on a regular basis, which I have enjoyed.

“I have also given other students on my course at college a greater insight into the construction industry by discussing situations I have experienced on site and how the team overcame them. I have battled with dyslexia but it has only made me more determined to stay focused and continue to progress.”

As well as gaining experience on site, Sam has met deadlines for assessments at college and achieved distinction grades in all units, along with playing a vital role in various volunteering opportunities involving construction.

Nathan Brough, regional director for Keepmoat, said: “Sam is an outstanding trainee and is very deserving of this award. We are extremely proud of how quickly Sam has progressed on site and look forward to seeing his career in construction develop further as he gains more site experience and begins his degree in project management.”

Ahead of the ceremony, hosted by Radio 1 presenter Gemma Cairney, the winners also attended a Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons.

Sam is pictured with his award and tutor Lynsey Hanson.