A 22-year-old student at Highlands College, Neal Crowell, has succeeded in gaining the top mark in Britain in this year’s Institute of Carpenters’ intermediate level examination.

His achievement, which also makes him the most successful Jersey entrant, has been recognised with a new perpetual award, presented by the local branch of the institute in memory of Ian Christison, a former lecturer at the College.

Neil has been attending classes at Highlands on day release for the past two and a half years but has progressed so well that he was able to take the examination a year early. It involved a written paper and a four-hour practical task.

He is now turning his attention to the advanced qualification, with a view to taking this examination next summer.
Neal was out of the Island for the annual prize-giving at Highlands on Monday evening so the award was collected by his proud mother, Kaye, and his employer, Keith Bisson of Bisson Brothers. Mr Bisson said that Neil was learning his trade with the company and Highlands as part of Jersey’s apprenticeship scheme.

• Picture: Neal Crowell with employer Keith Bisson and Leon Butel. Picture by Collette Bisson (00597307)