At a glittering ceremony at Durham’s Raddission Blu Hotel held on 18 September, livin Sedgefield and Mears apprentice Sam Scott won the North East Regional Apprentice of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014.Mears repairs and maintains over 8,500 homes on behalf of livin Sedgefield. A third year Multi-Trade Operative apprentice for livin and Mears Sedgefield, 21-year-old Sam undertakes preventative repairs and maintenance works as well as responsive repairs. He has carried out over 1,300 jobs, and has achieved a 100% customer service satisfaction rating.Sam is studying the Multi-Skilled Apprenticeship course NVQ Level 2 at Bishop Auckland College. He takes great pride in his work and is a business ambassador for Mears, talking to young people about careers in housing and construction.After completing his apprenticeship in October 2014, Sam was offered and accepted a permanent position at Mears as a Multi-Trade Technician. He plans to do further training to become a specialist joiner.Winner Sam Scott said: “The construction and life skills I have developed are invaluable. Becoming an apprentice is the best decision I’ve ever made.”Alan Small, Mears Group Partnership Manager said: “I am delighted that Sam has won this award, this is a huge success for the Sedgefield branch and the Mears/livin 'livin futures' partnership, also I would like to thank Bishop Auckland College for tailoring the Multi-Skill Apprenticeship course to suit the needs of the business.”Colin Steel, Chief Executive, Livin, said: “Congratulations to Sam on his Regional Apprentice of the year success. It is a fantastic achievement and a positive reflection on our ‘livin futures’ partnership.”Sam will now proceed to the national awards that take place on 13 November 2014 in Birmingham.