Apprentices were praised for their dedication and commitment at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s annual Apprenticeship Awards last night.
The ceremony, held at the Civic Centre in Trowbridge, brought together students, families, employers and college staff to celebrate the achievements of apprentices who have combined work with study to build their careers.
Principal and CEO Iain Hatt told the audience of his pride in the achievements of students and championed apprenticeships as a means of learning.
“It is my firmly held belief that apprenticeships are the most effective way of passing on complex practical skills and knowledge, and are critically important in delivering the highly skilled workforce that Britain needs,” he said.
“As a former apprentice myself, I can give a first-hand testament to the power of the invaluable lessons learned through hands-on work experience. An apprenticeship isn’t just a journey – it’s a transformative passage that shapes individuals into highly skilled professionals, armed with knowledge that classrooms and textbooks alone cannot impart.”
Guest speaker Nicole Fever, a former apprentice, and winner at the awards, at the college spoke about her career journey and told how the support of staff helped her become an engineer.
Now working at Cavendish nuclear on Hinkley Point C, she said: “For all the parents, guardians, family, friends, and employers in attendance tonight, thank you for supporting the apprentices in your life. If it wasn’t for my family, college, and employer I wouldn’t be here with you tonight to congratulate the winners s.”
She presented the main prize of the evening to bricklayer Mantas Janulionis, winner of the Apprentice of the Year award and also Level 2 Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year. Mantas, who works for T&B Developments near Malmesbury, said: “Winning was a shock but I feel really proud.”
He said bricklaying had been an obvious choice of career. “I always knew I wanted to do something physical so I started it and I loved it and had a talent for it,” he said. “I pursued it and it has gone really well for me.
“I like the fact you can learn on the job with an apprenticeship. I’ve had great support and I like working with the older guys. Just gathering as much information as I can from them, trying to soak it all in has just been brilliant.”
Mantas also represented WCUC in the Guild of Bricklayers competition, winning the senior section for the Western Region and going on to compete in the national finals.
There was also joy on the night for three employers who won awards for the depth of their support for apprentices. Trophies went to Munich Motorworks in Salisbury, The Avenue Primary School and Children’s Centre in Warminster and Aster Group.
Mr Hatt told all the winners: “Congratulations on your achievements. You are fully deserving of the recognition you have gained and may you go on to ever greater success in your chosen fields.”
For more information about studying an apprenticeship with WCUC, click here.
To see a gallery from the evening, click here.
Apprenticeship Awards Winners 2025
Horticulture Operative Apprentice of the Year: Callum Gorton
Livestock Unit Technician Apprentice of the Year: Owen Noyce
Business Administration Apprentice of the Year: Emily Patterson
Team Leader/Supervisor Apprentice of the Year: Charlie Ellis
Associate Project Manager Apprentice of the Year: Luke Townsend
Accounts/Finance Assistant Apprentice of the Year: Abigail Cooper:
Operational or Department Manager Apprentice of the Year: Katarzyna Cempura
Hospitality Supervisor Apprentice of the Year: Kamila Los
Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year: Mantas Janulionis
Site Carpentry Apprentice of the Year: Tryston Barraclough
Bench Joinery Apprentice of the Year: Katie Gibson
Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprentice of the Year: Jake Shinton
Electrical Installation Apprentice of the Year: Paul Crane
Autocare Technician Apprentice of the Year: Archie Smith
Early Years Educator Apprentice of the Year: Leah Robson
Children Young People & Families Practitioner Apprentice of the Year: Jamie Smith
Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprentice of the Year: Kelvin Akinnuwesi
Hair Professional Apprentice of the Year: Saskia Bourne
Children Young People & Families Practitioner Apprentice of the Year: Jamie Smith
Small Employer of the Year: Munich Motors
Medium Employer of the Year: The Avenue Primary School and Children’s Centre
Large Employer of the Year: Aster Group
