Construction Students Celebrated at Preston College and Eric Wright Learning Foundation Awards

Construction students from across Lancashire were celebrated at the Preston College and Eric Wright Learning Foundation Construction Awards Evening, held on Wednesday 29 April 2026 at Preston College.

The event recognised the achievements of students studying construction through the School Links Programme, which enables school pupils to gain hands‑on experience in a college environment while completing their school education. Schools represented on the evening included Christ the King Catholic High School, Parklands High School, Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Penwortham Priory Academy, Worden Academy and St Michael’s Church of England High School.

The evening opened with a welcome from Mark Taylor, Director of School for Construction at Preston College, followed by a keynote address from Diane Bourne, Trustee of the Eric Wright Learning Foundation, who highlighted the importance of vocational education and developing future talent for the construction industry.

A wide range of awards were presented throughout the evening, celebrating attendance, personal development, innovation and employability. Attendance Awards and Individual Certificates recognised learners for their commitment and consistency, while Self‑Development Awards celebrated students who demonstrated significant personal growth, resilience and determination. Innovation Awards recognised creative problem‑solving, teamwork and confidence, and Employability Awards were presented to students who consistently went above and beyond expectations, producing high‑quality work with professionalism and maturity.

Industry‑sponsored awards formed a key highlight of the evening. The Bricklayer of the Year Award, sponsored by PLF, was presented by Peter Kearney, recognising outstanding skill, progress and dedication to the trade. The Joiner of the Year Award was sponsored by Eric Wright Construction and presented by Ian Kerr, celebrating technical excellence and commitment to learning. The Overall Student of the Year Award, sponsored and awarded by the Eric Wright Group, recognised an exceptional learner who demonstrated excellence across all aspects of their programme.

The School of the Year Award was presented to Parklands High School, acknowledging the school’s strong engagement with the School Links Programme and continued support of vocational pathways. A Special Recognition Award was also presented to Corpus Christi Catholic High School, in recognition of its commitment to student development.

Speaking at the event, Mark Taylor praised the students’ achievements and highlighted the strength of the construction sector:

“The construction industry remains strong, resilient and full of opportunity. The hard work, commitment and achievements we have seen from our School Links students clearly demonstrate the talent coming through. These learners are developing the skills, attitude and experience that will open doors to further education, apprenticeships and long, successful careers within the construction sector.”

The evening concluded with closing remarks from Mark Taylor, who thanked partner schools and employer sponsors for their ongoing support. The awards event celebrated not only academic and practical success, but also the strong partnerships between Preston College, the Eric Wright Learning Foundation, local schools and industry.

Preston College and the Eric Wright Learning Foundation remain committed to supporting young people through high‑quality vocational education, helping to inspire the next generation of construction professionals.