College apprentice Callum Gordon crowned Advanced Apprentice of the Year at Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026

On Thursday 21st May, the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026 brought together the very best of apprentice talent from across the county, with College apprentices, staff, and their friends and families joining the celebrations.

Held at the new Schwarzman Centre at the University of Oxford, the event recognised the top apprentices, employers and training providers who are building their careers and developing skills across Oxfordshire.

A win for Callum Gordon

Callum Gordon, Sales Executive Support at Alphabet GB (BMW Group), was crowned Advanced Apprentice of the Year.

Callum’s win is a result of his dedication and professionalism. From day one, Callum established himself as a proactive, reliable, and capable professional, consistently exceeding expectations on his Business Professional course.

His commitment to excellence was further highlighted when he achieved a Distinction grade in his End Point Assessment, highlighting both his academic ability and his determination to succeed in his role.

As an Apprentice Ambassador, he promoted apprenticeships opportunities to students and parents, inspiring others to consider an apprenticeship, instead of more commonplace routes. His authenticity and his ability to communicate with confidence has made him a role model for others.

Within BMW Group, he has supported colleagues through various organisational transitions, he took the initiative to listen, guide and uplift those around him - a level of emotional intelligence and maturity that exceeded expectations at this stage of his career.

Celebrating staff and student success

Callum’s achievement was part of a fantastic evening for the College, with multiple finalists and highly commended recognitions showcasing the breadth of talent across our apprenticeship programmes.

Advanced Apprentice of the Year

• Winner: Callum Gordon, Sales Executive Support at Alphabet GB, BMW Group.
• Highly Commended: Becson Ody, Apprentice Receptionist and Administrative Assistant at the University of Oxford BioEscalator.

Rising Star Award

• Highly Commended: Thomas Grant-Edwards, Electrical Apprentice at MEICA Technical Services (MTS) Ltd.

Special Recognition Award

• Highly Commended: Adam Hitchman, HR Administrator at Webexpenses.

Training Provider Individual Award

• Highly Commended: Helen Day, Apprenticeship Training Coordinator for our Construction apprentices at Bicester and Abingdon campuses.

Skills Champion Award

• Highly Commended: Will Gibbs, Construction Skills Project Lead at Abingdon and Witney College for our Electrical apprentices.

Edward Collett, Commercial Director at Abingdon & Witney College, said:

“These awards are a powerful reflection of the talent, dedication and hard work shown by our apprentices, while also showcasing the exceptional support they receive from their employers and College tutors.

It was fantastic to see so many finalists from the College. This success, alongside our strong and consistently high achievement rates, highlights the quality of our apprenticeship provision. It also reflects our commitment to supporting every learner to achieve extraordinary outcomes and progress in their careers.”

It’s a great reflection of the variety of apprenticeships at the College and the difference that we’re making across sectors like business, administration, construction, and technical industries.

We are incredibly proud of all our apprentices and staff who continue to raise the bar and represent the very best of skills excellence across Oxfordshire.

You can find out more about apprenticeships on our website or by coming along to our open days in June, register here.