Apprentices celebrated at our first ever Apprenticeship Awards Evening

Yesterday evening, we proudly hosted our very first Apprenticeships Awards Event at our Abingdon campus. The evening brought together apprentices, employers, partners, friends and family to celebrate the hard work, resilience and dedication shown throughout their programmes.

The event served as a completion ceremony for our apprentices, recognising not only their academic achievements but also the perseverance and professionalism they have demonstrated in the workplace.

Public Services Lecturer, Will Williams, delivered an inspiring talk on resilience, courage and inner Strength, explaining how he developed and experienced these qualities as he journeyed through school, the army and into education, sharing:

“You all possess these qualities in abundance and if you dig deep enough you can apply them throughout your careers."

Vice Principal, Paul Starkey, delivered an inspiring address to attendees, reflecting on the commitment required to balance work and study and the vital role apprentices play within their industries.

The evening welcomed apprentices from a wide range of industries and levels, from Business Administration and Customer Service to Engineering, Horticulture and Early Years. Bringing together learners from such diverse sectors allowed apprentices to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their achievements together.

In addition to celebrating those achieving their apprenticeships, several apprentices received special recognition awards for exceptional contributions in their roles:

Outstanding Customer Care Through Adversity Award - Isaac Leeson, Customer Service Practitioner Level 2

Diligence Award - Edward Hewlett, Engineering Technician Level 3

Above and Beyond Award - Amber Evans, Horticulture & Landscape Operative Level 2

Hero Award - Callum Gordon, Business Administrator Level 3

Neurodiversity Champion Award - Yannick Grogan, Business Administrator Level 3

Perseverance in Action Award - Leah Nichols-Horton, Early Years Practitioner Level 2

Outstanding Customer Care Through Adversity Award - Isaac Leeson, Customer Service Practitioner Level 2

Diligence Award - Edward Hewlett, Engineering Technician Level 3

Hero Award - Callum Gordon, Business Administrator Level 3

Neurodiversity Champion Award - Yannick Grogan, Business Administrator Level 3

The evening was a proud moment for our apprenticeship community and a fitting celebration of the commitment shown by our learners. Congratulations to all of our apprentices on their achievements - we look forward to seeing where their careers take them next.

Have a look at some more photos from the night below our visit our Apprenticeships page to find out more.