It’s been a year full of highs for an up-and-coming young Ormesby scaffolder named winner of a national title.

Rhys was announced NASC Scaffolding Apprentice of the Year 2025, sponsored by CISRS, at a star-studded award ceremony in Manchester.

“I’ve certainly had some amazing opportunities so far,” said the 18-year-old who was presented with the award on stage alongside a star-studded lineup.

His boss, Ryan Payne, chief operating officer at JMAC Group, added: “It doesn’t get much bigger for a scaffolder than winning a NASC award.”

Rhys is already proving himself a rising star in the trade after impressing his bosses, assessors and colleagues with his enthusiasm and ambition. 

JMAC chief operating officer Ryan said: “Rhys has already been exposed to so many different types of work, he has gained loads of experience and tried different scaffolding methods.

“He has represented the company in Italy and Vegas, and the feedback he gets from the management team never fails to recognise his drive and desire to learn.”

For Rhys, scaffolding came as a bit of a new direction after choosing to follow the apprenticeship route.

His on-the-job training takes place at JMAC Scaffolding, with his CISRS accredited training delivered by Stockton-based NETA Training.

He said: “I had never thought about scaffolding as a career before, but I saw this apprenticeship opportunity come up and decided to apply.”

Spending his first three months learning the ropes in the JMAC scaffolding yard, he quickly found his feet and now loves every minute.

Rhys said: “It was tough at first because it was so physically demanding.” 

As for the early starts, they proved a true wakeup call. 

His first job out on site was testament to the diversity of the role, particularly as the team had to be called off due to bats. Since then, he has found every job, and its unique challenges, completely different and that is part of the appeal.

Given the chance to travel, Rhys represented JMAC as part of a team competing in a scaffolding contest in Las Vegas and he took part in a specialist training course in Italy.

Winning the top apprenticeship award at the NASC Scaffolding Excellence Awards, part of the annual ScaffEx exhibition and conference, is now yet another highlight.

The awards, organised by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation, celebrate achievement, innovation and success across the scaffolding and access industry.

“It felt amazing when they said my name,” said Rhys. He was met on stage by celebrities including comedian Leigh Francis and singer-songwriter Shaun Ryder.

Up against three other finalists in his category, he added: “I was proud because of all the hard work that has gone into it.”

Dave Marshall, Rhys’s tutor and assessor at NETA Training, said: “We are incredibly proud of Rhys and all that he has achieved on his apprenticeship as part of the JMAC team.

“Winning this award is a reflection of his positive attitude and all the work and effort he puts in.”