An apprentice in Hull has achieved one of the top scores in a nationwide wallpapering competition. Jazzmin Smith, 21, has now won an award after placing second in the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year 2025.
As part of the competition, she has to undertake a gruelling six-hour challenge in Doncaster earlier this year. Jazzmin is currently an apprentice at D&D Decorators and a student at Hull Training and Adult Education.
For her fantastic achievement, she has now been presented with the Junior Runner-up award at a Gala Dinner hosted by the PDA in Warwickshire. Speaking about the competition, she said: "I'm absolutely over the moon to receive this award.
"I didn't think I'd come this far. I messed up during the competition, but I was able to correct my mistake with a specialist technique which we don't use very often, so I think that helped me.
"Painting and decorating is a great sector to work in. As I'm a creative person this allows me to be a perfectionist at the same time as criticising my work.
"I am always proud of the work I create and, on the job, I'm always learning new skills and picking up easier methods. It's great to meet people and get appreciated for your work."
The 2025 Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year competition saw apprentices from across the UK gather for a day-long challenge at Doncaster College in June. They were tasked with a complex wallpapering project designed to test their precision, stamina and skill, with just six hours to complete the work to the very highest standards.
The competition is sponsored by Brewers Decorator Centres and David Hope, national sales and development manager, presented the awards at the PDA Gala Dinner. PDA Chief Executive Neil Ogilvie was part of the judging panel on the day and hosted the awards ceremony.
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He spoke about Jazzmin's impressive score and the competition. He said: "Jazzmin can be very proud of getting one of the top scores out of all the junior apprentices who took part in the competition.
"The competition event is carefully designed to test the wide range of skills needed to create a flawless finish and with the added time pressure, it really encourages apprentices to step up and showcase their very best work. We're proud to celebrate the achievements of apprentices in our sector who are learning and refining their skills in the trade and starting out in a career in colour."