APPRENTICES, students and employers took centre stage as they were praised for their dedication and commitment at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s annual Apprenticeship and Work Placement Awards last night.
Families, employers and college staff came together at the Civic Centre in Trowbridge to celebrate apprentices’ achievements, the hard work of students on work placements and the contribution of employers.
Principal and CEO Iain Hatt told the audience that the first day of National Apprenticeship Week was the perfect time to highlight students’ dedication, resilience, and achievements.
“Your achievements are a testament to your commitment and talent, and we are incredibly proud of all of you,” he said.
He said the relationships forged with employers is key to the college’s continuing success with apprenticeships and work placements. “Those partnerships don’t happen by chance, we work hard to build and strengthen relationships with employers, creating opportunities for apprenticeships, work placements and industry engagement that benefit our students, businesses and the wider community,” he said.
Guest speaker Carl Hogg, Managing Director of Good Energy Services in Chippenham, himself a former apprentice, told the audience his apprenticeship taught him the power of asking questions and learning from mistakes.
“Now, standing here as an employer, I see apprenticeships from the other side, and I value them even more,” he said. “In our company, apprentices aren’t just ‘the next generation’, they’re part of the team from day one.
“They bring fresh thinking, new perspectives, and a willingness to challenge the way things have always been done. They remind us that innovation doesn’t only come from experience. It comes from enthusiasm, curiosity and the confidence to ask ‘why not?’.”
Before joining Iain to present the awards he urged the audience: “Let’s keep championing apprenticeships and the importance of work experience. Let’s keep opening doors. Let’s keep proving that talent grows best when it’s given the chance to learn, to try and to thrive.”
Our award winners at a glance
- Accounting Apprentice of the Year: Caitlin Johnstone
- Agriculture Apprentice of the Year: Peighton Robertson
- Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Elliot Cuff
- Bricklayer Apprentice of the Year: Archie Farquharson
- Business Administration Apprentice of the Year: Hollie Errington
- Business Operations Apprentice of the Year: Danielle Blake
- Carpentry Apprentice of the Year: Ollie Savage
- Customer Service Apprentice of the Year: Emily Coliandris
- Early Years Apprentice of the Year: Katharine Lee
- Electrician Apprentice of the Year: Ashleigh Tanner-Pepper
- Engineering Apprentice of the Year: Joseph Collins
- Groundswork Apprentice of the Year: Alfie West
- Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the Year: Michelle Stone
- Health Care Apprentice of the Year: Linda Newman
- Hospitality Apprentice of the Year: Bogdan Soporan
- Information Communication Technician Apprentice of the Year: Daniella Barata
- Plumbing Apprentice of the Year: Nathaniel Johnson
- Work Placement Student of the Year: Tiegan Painter
- Work Experience Student of the Year: Lilian Davies
- Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year: Avonside Engineering
- Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year: Castle Carpentry & Building Contractors
- Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year: DSTL
- Work Placement Employer of the Year: Wiltshire Council
Our awards evening at a glance
