AN award-winning apprentice made sure his talents helped his family by giving his first pay packets to his recently-unemployed dad.

Just as Niall Mottershaw started his training with the Burnley-based social housing provider The Calico Group, his father lost his job.

So he started his career as a carpenter by handing over his wages to his dad to keep the family financially afloat.

His generosity came to light this month as The Construction Industry Training Board named him as North West Apprentice of the Year.

In addition Mr Mottershaw was national runner up in its Apprenticeship Awards 2019.

He has also acted as mentor to a fellow apprentice who suffers from ADHD, giving him guidance and support.

Mr Mottershaw, now 21, has come through The Calico Group’s Shared Apprenticeship Scheme.

He had successfully completed the Level 2 Site Carpentry apprenticeship framework and then progressed on to the Level 3 framework, which he is currently working towards.

A Calico Group spokesman said: "Niall's is work ethic and kindness hugely impressed the judges.

"For example, as a young man receiving his first pay packets it is a remarkable gesture to give that money to his dad, who had recently found himself out of work. It was Niall’s wish to support his family.

Julie Ferns of Galliford Try, where he served part of his training, said: “Niall was an outstanding member of our Apprenticeship team

"We gave him a particular task to mentor one of our more difficult apprentices. James has ADHD and demonstrated very poor timekeeping, concentration and work ethic. We asked Niall to mentor him on site. Niall worked hard with James and set an outstanding example for him to follow. He spent a lot of time supporting James in developing his skills and the change that we saw in James was fantastic.”