A TEENAGE apprentice has demonstrated his role as a rising star in the IT sector after winning a key industry award.

James Briers is a first-year apprentice for computer software specialists Innovise IES in its Southampton office.

Now the 19-year-old has clinched the Apprentice of the Year from leading IT training provider Baltic Training.

James, who works in the software team, said: “I’m over the moon to have been selected from a group of my peers to receive this award. Seeing the comments from my colleagues made me realise what a valuable member of the team I have become. I’m really excited to continue building my career here.”

It follows the firm, which is the creator of smart autonomous operations using Cortex Intelligent Automation, receiving an Investors in People Gold Award.

Operations director Eddie Watson said: “His achievements are evidence that the apprenticeship programme offers motivated and capable individuals an incredible opportunity to develop their careers and to make a valued contribution to the economy. From his progress to date I fully expect him to have developed skills and expertise equivalent to, or better than, a university graduate in a shorter period of time.”