An ambitious teenager from Rhondda Cynon Taff has beaten off stiff competition from across the UK to win a top construction award.

Tyler Collins, 19, has been named Business Trainee of the Year by housebuilding giant Persimmon Homes in its annual Young Achiever of the Year awards.

Tyler came out on top of dozens of nominations from across the business, winning a trophy and a £1,500 boost in his paycheck.

Tyler is a trainee site manager with Persimmon’s East Wales regional business and has been with the company for just over a year.

He started out working with his dad, a private landlord, learning the ropes in carpentry, bricklaying and roofing.

He’s currently a trainee site manager with Persimmon while he completes his HNC Construction at Bridgend College, having already completed his Level 4 NVQ.

“It was a great surprise to be nominated by the head of construction – and to win was amazing,” said Tyler.

“It’s great to be recognised and it’s a real confidence boost.

“Persimmon is a fantastic company and I’m determined to keep learning about construction and progressing within the company.”

Liverpool FC fan Tyler is currently training at Persimmon’s 132-house Sycamore Gardens development in Caerphilly under site manager Jade Simmonds.

Martin Smith, managing director of Persimmon Homes East Wales, said: “I’m absolutely delighted for Tyler, he’s a very worthy winner of this award.

“Since joining Persimmon he has demonstrated an exemplary attitude to his work and a real hunger to learn.

“I am confident that he has a very bright future ahead of him and I look forward to watching him develop in his career.”

Other Welsh finalists in the Young Achiever awards included Deri Jones in the Trade Apprentice of the Year category, Jordan White in Sales Trainee of the Year, Edward Williams and Andy Jones in the Duncan Davidson Award, and Amy Jervis and Lee Lewis in the Unsung Hero category.

All finalists received a £200 bonus. Visit www.persimmonhomes.com/jobs/ for information about forging a career with Persimmon Homes.