Inspiring Lancashire apprentices, that have made a significant impact on their company,  have been praised at an awards ceremony in Accrington.

Nelson and Colne College Group (NCCG) hosted the Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony at Accrington Stanley Football Club on Sunday (June 18).

The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of a number of apprentices and their employers.  

The event, hosted by membership sirector at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and former BBC Lancashire personality Simon Brierley, brought apprentices, trainers, families, and industry leaders together to celebrate the transformative power of apprenticeships in Lancashire. 

The ceremony saw awards presented to apprentices across a wide range of industries. Each of the winners and nominees were recognised for their outstanding dedication, resilience, and exceptional skills. 

Accrington and Rossendale College student Holly Duffy was the biggest winner of the night, receiving the ‘construction apprentice of the year award’ for her excellence in painting and decorating. She also won the overall ‘apprentice of the year’ award.  

Holly has had a series of successes recently, having won the Construction Development Alliance’s Young Apprentice of the Year Award, as well as representing her college nationally in the Painting and Decorating Awards.

She said: “I feel amazing. I am only eight months into my apprenticeship and have achieved so much.

“Both my employers at Nelson-based Spain Building and Maintenance and the staff at Accrington and Rossendale College have been incredibly supportive and I owe a lot of this success to them.”

Other winners on the night were Jo Clayton, who was awarded the Business and Professional Services Apprentice of the Year, for embodying the values of her school and achieving remarkable results, and Aaminah Abdulla, recognised as the Childcare Apprentice of the Year for her proactive and caring approach in a school for learning difficulties.

The apprentice focussed part of the ceremony culminated with the presentation of the Rising Star Award, which recognised Sam Farnworth for overcoming challenges and significantly improving his work during his apprenticeship.  

Other winners included:  

  •    Tom Novak, Engineering Apprentice of the Year 
  •    Lauren Trimmer, Hairdressing and Beauty Apprentice of the Year 
  •    Clare Butcher, Health and Social Care Apprentice of the Year 
  •    Ellie Jones, Hospitality and Catering Apprentice of the Year 
  •    Shelley Gill, Leadership and Management Apprentice of the Year 
  •    Jamie Stinton, Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year
  •    Sam Farnworth, Rising Star award

The contribution of employers towards the development of these future industry stars did not go unnoticed either, as employer awards were celebrated across a number of categories. The companies recognised were:  

  • LCC Hillside Specialist School, Longridge, Childcare Employer of the Year 
  • Spain Building and Maintenance, Nelson, Construction Employer of the Year
  • Bright Engineering Precision Product LTD, Nelson, Engineering Employer of the Year 
  • Neon Noir Hair Spa, Clitheroe, Professional and Creative Services Employer of the Year 
  • LCC Burnley Day Services, Health and Social Care Employer of the Year. 

Following the awards Gill Acquilina, head of apprenticeships at NCCG, said: “Employers are so important within apprenticeships, ensuring that our learners gain the valuable experience of being in a real working environment whilst receiving mentorship from passionate industry leaders who genuinely care about their workforce.

"It was our privilege to honour these employers for their fantastic contributions to the apprenticeship programme over the last 12 months.” 

Russ Haworth joined host Simon Brierley on stage to close the evening with an inspiring look at how apprenticeships have shaped his career, and the companies in which he has worked over the years.

Highlighting the phenomenal impact investing in apprenticeships can have Russ congratulated all the nominees and winners and wished them all well as they continued to make great strides within their chosen industries. 

The importance of apprenticeships was also highlighted by Lisa O'Loughlin, the principal and chief executive of Nelson and Colne College Group, who acknowledged the significance of apprenticeships in shaping the future workforce for the local area.

She said: “This is a celebration of the exceptional dedication of both apprentices and employers, whose efforts have not only enriched their own lives and organisations but also contributed to the growth and prosperity of the community and industries.” 

The event was a true celebration of the dedication and success of apprentices and their employers, inspiring all attendees to continue fostering a culture of learning, growth, and excellence.