Entries for this year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition are officially open.
Returning for its twelfth year, Screwfix, a UK retailer of trade tools, accessories, and hardware products, is searching to uncover the very best in emerging trade talent across the UK and Ireland.
The annual competition provides a national platform for trade apprentices to showcase their skills, share their views, and reinforce the important role apprentices play in addressing the trade skills gap.
This year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice champion will receive a career-boosting trade bundle worth £10,000, including £5,000 of tools, a £3,000 training budget, and £2,000 worth of technology.
Meanwhile, the champion’s college will also receive £2,000 worth of Screwfix vouchers to spend on new workshop equipment to further develop the next generation of trade professionals.
Building on past success
Dan O’Shea, an apprentice electrician from Longford in Ireland, was crowned Trade Apprentice 2025.
At 20 years old, Dan impressed judges with his passion for renewable technologies and his hope to encourage even more young people to enter the industry.
Commenting on his win, Dan says, “Winning Screwfix Trade Apprentice was such an honour, but it was really only the start.
“My entry took no more than 15 minutes, and never in a million years did I think it would lead to this.
“I look forward to keeping a close eye on the competition to see who will be crowned the next Screwfix Trade Apprentice champion.”
Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix, explains, “As a retailer to the trade, we are committed to championing tradespeople across the UK and Ireland.
“The Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition recognises and celebrates apprentices while also highlighting the crucial contribution they make to the trade industry.
“Over recent years, we’ve seen the number of applications grow year-on-year, which makes selecting one overall champion an exciting challenge for our judges.
“Today’s trade apprentices are the next generation for the industry, bringing with them fresh ideas and skills which will be vital for the future.
“So, whether you’re an apprentice electrician, plumber, painter and decorator, or roofer, what’s stopping you? Like Dan O’Shea, you could be the one taking home the national title and a fantastic prize.”
How to enter
Free to enter, Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026 is now open to all trade apprentices who are currently enrolled at college, either on a part-time placement with an employer or as a full-time college student.
Apprentices can apply themselves or be nominated by their college or employer, and all applicants must be over the age of 16.
You can apply on the Screwfix website and entries are open until midnight on Sunday, 15 February.
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