QS and project manager Bucknall Austin revealed the winner of its version of the television show The Apprentice at a ceremony last week.

Paavan Popat, an MA student at Nottingham Trent university, beat off five other student finalists to win a job and a cheque for £3,000.

More than 200 cognate and non-cognate students entered the competition, which was backed by Building.

About 20 attended a formal assessment day in February before a shortlist of eight was drawn up.

These then undertook a live challenge when they attended a networking event before the final three were interviewed by a panel that included Sir Digby Jones, the former head of the CBI.

Popat, 22, who will join Bucknall's London office in October as a project manager, said he was concentrating on doing a good job.

He said: “I know the pressure is on that I live up to expectations. I know this is just the beginning.”

Popat took a management degree at the University of Leicester. He said a trip to Dubai last year inspired him to work in construction.