Preston College Celebrates Exceptional Apprentices and Employers at Annual Awards Evening

Preston College recently held its prestigious Exceptional Apprentice and Employer Awards evening, in an uplifting celebration of the incredible contributions made by local employers and apprentices alike.

The event, which brought together apprentices, employers, and staff, was an evening to recognise the hard work, dedication, and passion that drive apprenticeships and T-Level industry placements within the region.

And as the evening progressed guests heard inspiring stories, as apprentices and employers expressed their gratitude for the partnerships formed with Preston College.

Employers praised the College for its expert guidance throughout the apprenticeship process, highlighting the essential role that the College plays in shaping the future workforce and supporting local businesses. Many shared how the apprentices they have hired have added immeasurable value to their businesses, bringing fresh perspectives, new skills, and enthusiasm to their teams. Several employers also announced they would be offering permanent full-time positions to their apprentices upon completion of their courses.

The apprentices, in turn, shared their own heartfelt stories of personal and professional growth. One apprentice, Katie from Loops Direct, who admittedly struggled with confidence, took to the stage with newfound confidence to thank her employer, Dom, for the support they had provided.

She had written in her nomination: “Dom’s impact goes beyond training me for a job; he is helping me build a career. He has shown me what great leadership looks like: investing time in people, celebrating progress, and building a culture where learning is normal and support is consistent. For these reasons, I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the Exceptional Employer Award than Dom.”

Another inspirational moment came from the 2026 Apprentice of the Year, Summer Kirkby, who spoke about the transformation in her attitude toward work. “My mindset has completely changed,” she shared. “I now approach every task with a positive outlook, and I feel more confident and focused to take on more responsibility. This apprenticeship has truly opened doors for me.” Her employer Becca, owner of Be Beautiful, said: “Since Summer has started her apprenticeship, she has grown and progressed massively. She is a star employee and is literally what every employer would wish for.”

The event also celebrated the employers who are supporting T-Level students through industry placements. These employers play a pivotal role in providing real-life experience to students, helping to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional skills. Nigel from Persimmon Homes, winner of the Construction T level employer award said: “All of us at Persimmon are delighted to receive the award for ‘Industry Placement Employer of the Year – Construction’. Our collaboration with Preston College has been vital to our success in training the next generation of professionals and laying the foundation for successful careers in the industry. It’s fantastic to be recognised for our collaboration with Preston College and we look forward to supporting more local young people going forward.”

Simon Nixon, Principal of Preston College, expressed his pride in the achievements of both the apprentices and the employers. He said: “The evening was a testament to the incredible collaboration between Preston College and the local business community. We are immensely proud of our apprentices and the employers who nurture and support our students. Their dedication to growth, learning, and success is truly inspiring.”

He added: “As each employer and apprentice took the stage to share their stories, it was clear that the event was more than just an awards ceremony; it was a celebration of the remarkable impact that apprenticeships and industry placements have on both individuals and businesses.”

Linzi Monks, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement, also reflected on the importance of the evening. She said: “The Exceptional Apprentice and Employer Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the ambitions and aspirations of our apprentices and the employers who work alongside us. It is clear that the partnerships we have developed are not only helping to shape the future of these young people but also the future of our local industries.”

She continued: “The Exceptional Apprentice and Employer Awards were not just a night of celebration; they were a reminder of the power of collaboration, mentorship, and the life-changing impact of apprenticeships.”

The atmosphere was one of warmth and celebration, as employers and apprentices reflected on the valuable experiences and skills they had gained throughout their journeys. Many attendees expressed their hopes for continued growth and success in the future, eager to build on the strong foundations set by the evening’s celebrations; ending on a high note, with everyone leaving the event inspired and eager to continue their journey toward future success.

The Winners and Highly Commended for the 2026 Exceptional Apprentice and Employer Awards are:

Engineering:

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Preston College Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Unipart Dorman

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Apprentice Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Bonney Greenhalgh,

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner (Industry Placements): Millennium Engineering

• Exceptional Employer Highly Commended (Industry Placements): Delta Fire Engineering

• Engineering Apprentice of the Year Winner: Adam Hardingham, Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd

• Engineering Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Andrew Hearne, Sika Ltd, and Katie Tasker, Bonney Greenhalgh & Co Ltd

Automotive Technologies:

• Exceptional Employer Award  Winner – Preston College Choice Award (Apprenticeships): North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Apprentice Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Brake Fit

• Automotive Technologies Apprentice of the Year Winner: Max El Gardi, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

• Automotive Technologies Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Sophie Shah, HiQ Tyres, and Owen Hatton, Brake-Fit

Construction:

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Preston College Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Pears Roofing North West Ltd

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Apprentice Choice Award (Apprenticeships): LRC Projects

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner (Industry Placements): Persimmon Homes

• Exceptional Employer Award Highly Commended (Industry Placements): Eric Wright Group Ltd

• Automotive Technologies Apprentice of the Year Winner: Sam Durham, ABD Ceramics Ltd

• Automotive Technologies Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Vanessa Procter, Hawthorn Estates NW Ltd, and Ben Brown, AMSPEC Ltd

Hair & Beauty:

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Preston College Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Be Beautiful

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Apprentice Choice Award (Apprenticeships): House of Soul

• Hair & Beauty Apprentice of the Year Winner: Summer Kirkby, Be Beautiful

• Hair & Beauty Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Libby Rothwell, House of Soul and, Becky Doolan, Foran & Blake

Business & Management:

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Preston College Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Briarwood Medical Centre

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Apprentice Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Loops Direct

• Business & Management Apprentice of the Year Winner: Jessica Roocroft, Azets

• Business & Management Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Katie Dearden, Loops Direct, and Eden Staines, Panache Cruises

Health & Science:

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Preston College Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Cedars Dental Practice

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner – Apprentice Choice Award (Apprenticeships): Wrightington Wigan and Leigh Trust

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner (Industry Placements): Holywell Bridgeway

• Exceptional Employer Award Highly Commended (Industry Placements): Lady Elsie Finney House Day Centre

• Health & ScienceApprentice of the Year Winner: Elizabeth Rimmer, Wrightington Wigan and Leigh Trust

• Health & ScienceApprentice of the Year Highly Commended: Michelle Saint, Mersey & West Lancs NHS Trust, and Anya Bamber, 71 Dental

Education & Childcare:

• Exceptional Employer Award Winner (Industry Placements): Pipers Day Nursery

• Exceptional Employer Award Highly Commended (Industry Placements): Hillside Specialist School

Beyond Limits:

• Beyond Limits Apprentice of the Year Winner: Anya Bamber, 71 Dental

• Beyond Limits Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended: George Gasser, Warden Construction Ltd , and Shaun Earl, Dewhurst Builders

Apprentice of the Year: Summer Kirkby, Be Beautiful

Read the full list of finalist nominations here:

Click here to read the: Exceptional employer finalist’s nominations

Click here to read: Exceptional apprentices finalist’s nominations

FULL suite of photos can be found here. Credit: Photos taken by our Level 3 Film and Photography students, Jess and Hazel.