An apprentice has told how an apprenticeship scheme had saved him from wasting two years at college.

Ashley Peace began an apprenticeship with Suffolk-based Trevor Benton Construction Group four years ago.

If he had not chosen the scheme, his future may not be as bright as it is now, he said.

"If I hadn't done the apprenticeship I would probably have gone to college, not knowing what I wanted to do, and wasted two years. Instead, I chose to do the apprenticeship and learn a trade and earn some money doing it."

Mr Peace, 20, from East Bergholt, spent four days working and one day at West Suffolk College. When the course ends next month, he will be Corgi-registered and an advanced plumber, approved by Anglian Water.

"I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship because college isn't for everyone," said Mr Peace, who has just been highly commended in the Personal Achiever of the Year category at the Bright Sparks 08, East of England Apprenticeship Awards 2008.

The awards, funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), are designed to reward employers in the region who successfully use apprenticeships to improve their business, and recognise those on current schemes. Awards were presented by BBC Look East's Stewart White.

Mr Peace and the other winners from the regional awards will go through to the national final on July 10 in London.