Newbury College celebrates skills, careers and community 

Newbury College and University Centre Newbury (UCN) have celebrated another successful year of apprenticeships with their annual Apprenticeship Awards, recognising the people and businesses powering skills and careers across the community during National Apprenticeship Week (9–15 February).

To mark the week, the College shared a series of engaging videos on social media, showcasing success stories from apprentices and employers, including St Gabriel’s Nursery, Westek Technology, Newbury College and Newbury Business Improvement District (BID). The series also featured insights from a Newbury College Apprentice Development Coach, highlighting how high-quality support helps apprentices to thrive.

The 2026 Apprenticeship Award winners were revealed on Friday 13 February in a live-streamed celebration. Viewers were welcomed by Newbury College’s Principal and Chief Executive, Lee Probert, before Liam Faughnan, Head of Faculty – Apprenticeships, announced the winners in each category.

2026 Apprenticeship Award Winners

Best Business Apprentice – Andrew Buckingham, Nustream

Best Early Years Apprentice – Luke Stevens, Rocking Horse Day Nursery

Best Finance Apprentice – Kirsty Roff, Crown Lift Trucks

Best Building Services Engineering Apprentice – Aaron Sedman, University of Oxford

Best Electrical Apprentice – Curtysha Gaskin, Equinix

Best Plumbing Apprentice – Kane French, Southern Maintenance Solutions

Best Motor Vehicle Apprentice – Freddie Anderton, PR Motors

Best Engineering Apprentice – Joshua Jones, Entec Sound & Light

Finance Apprenticeship Employer Award – Crown Lift Trucks

Construction Apprenticeship Employer Award – EcoMech Plumbing and Heating

Early Years Apprenticeship Employer Award – St John the Evangelist Infant and Nursery School

Engineering Apprenticeship Employer Award – Quantum Design Oxford

Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship Employer Award – Long Lane Garage

Best Mentor – Krzysztof Swierkot, University of Oxford

Best Development Coach – Julie Dodd, Newbury College

Best Tutor – Jude Buckell, Newbury College

Liam Faughnan, Head of Faculty – Apprenticeships, said: “Our Apprenticeship Awards are all about celebrating the real impact apprenticeships have on people’s lives and on local businesses. Every nominee has shown dedication, resilience and a real commitment to developing Skills for Life. As a college focused on careers, not courses, we are incredibly proud of the way our apprentices and employers are working together to create opportunities to transform lives.”

Apprenticeship programmes at Newbury College and UCN are developed in partnership with employers to meet the needs of the local economy. Apprentices learn in the workplace and in specialist college facilities, gaining the technical skills, behaviours and experience needed to progress in their chosen career.

To find out more about apprenticeship opportunities with Newbury College and UCN, visit newbury-college.ac.uk/apprenticeships