Two Hull Training and Adult Education (HTAE) apprentices have achieved national success after securing first and second place in the prestigious Painting and Decorating Association Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year Awards.
Jazzmin Smith was crowned the 2026 Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year, while fellow apprentice Daisy Milner was named runner-up following the national final and awards presentation evening held at The Milner York.
Earlier this year, they impressed judges during a demanding six-hour competition at Doncaster College, securing places in the national final against some of the UK’s most talented decorating apprentices.
The achievement is particularly significant for Jazzmin, who also reached the national finals in 2025, where she was awarded Junior Runner-up, building on her experience to take the top prize.
Reflecting on the competition, Jazzmin said: “The event was amazing to be part of and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take part and to see all my hard work pay off.
“The competition area was much larger this year, so I really had to focus on managing my time, working efficiently and keeping my workspace organised throughout the day.
“Winning is a huge achievement and something I’m really proud of. I can’t thank HTAE enough for all the support they’ve given me and I’m also grateful to D & D Painters and Decorators for the fantastic opportunities they’ve provided throughout my apprenticeship.”
Both apprentices are employed by D & D Painters and Decorators in Hull and studying towards their Level 3 Painting and Decorating apprenticeships with HTAE.
For Daisy, reaching the national final was a rewarding end to months of preparation and hard work.
She said: “Making it to the final felt surreal. Knowing that I had achieved something I worked so hard for was amazing and so rewarding.
“The awards evening was a great experience. I was able to speak to lots of people from across the industry, learn from them and receive valuable feedback.
“Having the support of my employer and tutors there made the evening even more special and I was delighted to be able to celebrate alongside Jazzmin, who absolutely deserves her success.”
The success of both apprentices highlights the quality of apprenticeship training delivered through HTAE and demonstrates the opportunities available to learners’ pursuing careers in the construction and decorating industries.
Cllr Linda Tock, portfolio holder for Hull Training & Adult Education at Hull City Council, added: “Having two apprentices from the same employer achieve first and second in a national competition is an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to the dedication, professionalism and technical ability shown by both learners throughout their apprenticeship journeys.
“Everyone at HTAE congratulates Jazzmin and Daisy on their fantastic achievements and wishes them every success for the future.”