A YEAR of hard work building for the future has paid off for an industrious Kidderminster teenager after he was named the top trainee in Wyre Forest.

Bill Mills, of Broad Street, got his hands dirty to learn a variety of new skills on a construction course through the Vocation, Inclusion and Participation (VIP) project.

The 16-year-old, who left King Charles I School after taking his GCSE exams last month, spent his time at the Bishops Wood Environmental Centre, near Stourport, being taught bricklaying, straw-bale building and how to maintain woodwork tools.

Bill was one of 300 students from across the district who took advantage of the new scheme, which was co-funded by the European Social Fund and the schools involved.

The Horsefair resident was handed his VIP Wyre Forest Trainee of the Year Award in a special ceremony held at Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough Suite.

Bill, who is set for a two-year Worcester College of Technology building course in September, said the scheme had helped him a lot but the news of the award was a big surprise.

He explained: "I was really shocked when they told me I had won it. It came right out of the blue. I enjoyed the course and the people who trained us were really good.

"I am going to college in September but I would like to get an on-site apprenticeship. I could work and learn at the same time then."

Brenda Lines, deputy head at King Charles, paid tribute to the youngster's efforts and said everyone at the Comberton Road school was "very proud" of his achievement.

She added: "Bill has done amazingly well and really deserved all the praise that he got. While he was at the Bishops Wood Centre he took on the role of team leader.

"He is a real character and we all hope he does well for himself in the future."

The VIP project offered training on a range of vocational courses, such as motor vehicle repair, hairdressing and performing arts at a variety of venues including Kidderminster College and Stourport's Beacon Employment.

Michael Conroy-Harris, VIP's co-ordinator for Wyre Forest, said: "Lots of students have really come into their own over the year.

"They have displayed self-discipline, motivation, commitment and most would agree that this has paid off in terms of actual certified achievement or, just as importantly, in terms of personal satisfaction. I think Bill is an example of this."