Shrewsbury Colleges Group proudly hosted its annual Apprenticeship Awards Night on Thursday, 30 January, recognising our outstanding apprentices and employers' hard work, dedication, and achievements.
The event, held at the Origins Restaurant at the college’s London Road Campus, brought together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and local businesses to celebrate apprentices' invaluable contributions to the college community and the wider workforce.
This year’s ceremony showcased the remarkable success stories of apprentices across a diverse range of sectors, including engineering, construction, and professional services. Awards were presented in multiple categories, highlighting exceptional skill development, commitment to learning, and the positive impact of apprenticeships on both individuals and employers.
James Staniforth, Principal of Shrewsbury Colleges Group, said:
"We are immensely proud of our apprentices, who continue to demonstrate resilience, passion, and innovation in their respective fields. Apprenticeships provide a vital pathway to employment, equipping learners with real-world experience and industry-specific skills. We celebrate their success tonight and reaffirm our commitment to high-quality apprenticeship education.”
A key highlight of the evening was the Overall Apprentice of the Year award, which was awarded to Kyle Blower for their outstanding achievements in Bricklaying. Other winners of awards on the night include:
Lily Weetman Hudson LM Accounting Apprentice of the Year
Jess Slater Reconomy UK Ltd Business Admin Apprentice of the Year
Joe Shingler Shingler Homes Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year
Kyle Blower L G Blower Overall Apprentice of the Year
Joe Harrison Pave Aways Site Supervisor Apprentice of the Year
Cai Curtis Tim Frost Carpentry Carpentry Apprentice of the Year
Nathan Broster Penguin Electrical Solutions Electrical Apprentice of the Year
Andy Roberts NHS Wolverhampton Engineering Apprentice of the Year
Harry Guildford JCA Outdoor Adventure Outdoor Apprentice of the Year
Harry Barrett S J Roberts Construction Gas Apprentice of the Year
The Awards night also saw several employers enjoy recognition for their excellent work with Apprentices.
Small Employer Seven Salon
Medium Employer Shingler Homes
Large Employer JCA Outdoor Adventures
Outstanding Employer Contribution to Apprenticeships Ricoh UK Products Ltd
Last week, there was nothing but good news as we celebrated our amazing apprentices and their fantastic employers at our very own Apprenticeship Awards evening. This was a wonderful forerunner to National Apprenticeship Week, 10 – 16 February.
In addition to winning the college award, Kyle was also crowned SkillBuild Bricklayer of 2025. He was then offered an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas sponsored by Super Trowel (UK), where he represented the UK at the #MCAASkillsChallenge. Coming in massively impressive second place means Kyle is the first UK representative to win this competition in the 25 years it’s been running.
Mark Brown, Vice Principal for Quality, Apprenticeships & Information, concludes: ‘We extend our gratitude to the local businesses and industry partners who support apprenticeship schemes and play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce. As the college expands its apprenticeship offering, we remain dedicated to fostering talent and strengthening ties with employers to ensure continued success.’