Finalists in the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards revealed

This year’s awards feature 14 categories recognising the achievements of apprentices and the vital role played by employers and training providers in developing talent.

This event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, who continue to invest in and celebrate the achievements of apprentices across the region.

We’re proud to share a few of their thoughts below.

David Akeroyd, Barnsley College principal and CEO, said: “Barnsley College is proud to sponsor the Apprentice Ambassador category at this year’s South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards.

“From our cutting-edge Clean Energy Training Centre to our digital and AI offer being an integral part of Barnsley’s status as the UK’s first Tech Town, we’re equipping learners with future-ready skills and championing apprenticeships as a powerful route into skilled employment, as well as a key driver of economic growth and social mobility.”

Ann Stanley, early in careers manager at Yorkshire Water, said “Yorkshire Water is an avid supporter of apprenticeships across our region and are delighted to sponsor all four events across Yorkshire and Humber.

“With 235 apprentice colleagues on programme, we understand and admire the commitment, motivation and achievement demonstrated by all of them and the nominees for these prestigious awards.”

The campaign has once again attracted an incredible number of entries from across South Yorkshire. Each submission was carefully assessed by our panel of judges against strict criteria to determine this year’s finalists and, ultimately, the winners.

The rigorous judging process reflects the exceptional calibre of applications received.

We extend our sincere thanks to our judging panel:

Dr Graham Honeyman CBE, managing director - Sarach Steel Technologies Ltd

Natalie Evans, apprenticeship lead - Asda

Bex Darch, learning specialist - Arla Foods

Ava Jones, head of marketing - AESSEAL

James Beighton, development lead - Skills Street

Lisa Pogson MSc, M.Inst.R, MWES, managing director - Airmaster

Their expertise and dedication have been invaluable in selecting a group of finalists that truly represent the passion, talent, and ambition driving apprenticeships across the region.

Lisa Pogson, managing director at Airmaster, said: “There were so many fabulous entries for these awards.“It was heartwarming to read the pride and passion that some of these individuals put into their roles, truly going the extra mile. It was also great to read the testimonials that many had from colleagues, customers and mentors. What an inspiration.

“It makes me feel positive for the future. It also gave me some food for thought of further things we can all do to support our teams. There is no one way to learn – it is a journey that many of us are still on!”

Ava Jones, of AESSEAL plc said: “It has been a privilege to judge this year’s South Yorkshire apprenticeship awards. The standard of entries was exceptionally high, with clear evidence of the impact apprenticeships have in developing talent, strengthening businesses and creating long-term career opportunities.

“The judging process really highlighted the quality, commitment, and ambition of the apprentices and the organisations supporting them. A powerful reminder of why apprenticeships are so important to our region and its future workforce.”

Dr Graham A. Honeyman CBE, Sarach Steel Technologies, said: “Being a judge on the South Yorkshire Apprentice Awards has been an incredibly rewarding experience that has allowed me to witness first hand the remarkable talents and dedication of young professionals.

“Each submission not only showcased the hard work and creativity of apprentices but also the commitment of their mentors and organisations. As one of the judges I had the unique opportunity to inspire further growth and contribute to shaping their future”.

Natalie Evans, of Asda, said: “Serving as a judge for the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards has been an inspiring experience. The commitment, resilience and talent shown by apprentices across the region is outstanding, and it’s a privilege to help recognise their achievements. These awards highlight not only individual success stories but the transformational impact apprenticeships have on businesses, communities and future careers.”

Winners will be announced at a live awards ceremony on Thursday, May 21 at Sheffield United Football Club.

Guests arrive from 6:45pm for a welcome drink, kindly sponsored by Sheffield United FC, ahead of an evening of networking, dinner, and award presentations.

For more details about the event and to see the full list of finalists, visit www.syapprenticeshipawards.co.uk.

For any further inquiries or interest in presenting one of our awards as an event sponsor, please contact our event manager, Haroldine Lockwood, at [email protected]

Join us as we applaud the remarkable achievements of South Yorkshire’s apprentices and the businesses championing them!

Meet our Finalists

Intermediate Apprentice

Freya Priestley, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, The Sheffield College

Harry May, Equans Regeneration, RNN Group

Raheem Mustafa, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, The Sheffield College

Advanced Apprentice

Ateeb Mughal, Equans Regeneration Ltd, RNN Group

Ava Laverick, St Leger Homes of Doncaster Ltd

Blake Jay Penney, Qualter Hall & Co Ltd, AMRC Training Centre

Cameron Edgar, Norton Group, NowSkills

Casey Morton, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, Bradford College

Hasiba Nawaz, Balmoral Tanks Ltd, AMRC Training Centre

Katie Cherry, Age UK Barnsley, Barnsley College

Luke Burbeary , Yorkshire Water, Bridgewater and Taunton

Paul Kaye, Syngenta Ltd, Cogent Skills

Sean Fearn, City of Doncaster Council, Barnsley College

Higher Apprentice, Sponsored by University of Sheffield

Benjamin Wynn, Auckley Primary Academy, Active Fusion

Leanne Round, Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS FT, Open University

Melissa Stone Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS FT, University of Sheffield

Nikki Higgins, Masonite UK, Barnsley College

Paul Preskey, Agemaspark, Whyy? Change

Rebecca Watson, Barnsley Academy, Barnsley College

Sam Buxton, Agemaspark, Whyy? Change

Degree Apprentice, Sponsored by Sheffield Hallam University

Adam Town, Liverpool University Hospitals Group NHS FT, Sheffield University

Charlie Hickey , AESSEAL, AMRC Training Centre

Charlotte Elliott, Affinity2020CIC, Whyy? Change

James Cole Cross, Luxfer MEL Technologies, Sheffield Hallam University

Jashanpreet Ralla, HSBC UK, ADA the National College for Digital Skills

Jautrite Ruska, Cranswick Convenience Foods, Sheffield Hallam University

Jessica Walklett, Unilever, Sheffield Hallam University

Kostas Kuklys, Network Rail, Sheffield Hallam University

Max Thompson, AESSEAL PLC, AMRC Training Centre

Shelley Law, OLS Ltd, Nottingham Trent University

Tom Young, Yorkshire Water, Derby University

Construction Apprentice, Sponsored by Yorkshire Water

Lewis Lowry-Drury, Equans Regeneration Ltd, RNN Group

Luke Lewis, Dalton Roofing Ltd, Leeds Building College

Thomas Goodwin, St Leger, Homes of Doncaster

Health and Public Service Apprentice

Abigail South, Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS FT, Plymouth University

Kian Wood, Stone Hill School, Active Fusion

Kirsty Wright, NHS Rotherham, CT Skills

Melissa Evans , Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS FT, DN Colleges Group

Penny Ashmore, Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS FT, University of Sheffield

Sarah Nicholson, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, Bradford College

Shannon Smith, Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Ft, University of Sheffield

Zoe Ellis, Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Ft, Plymouth University

Engineering / Manufacturing Apprentice

Eve Elliott, Sheffield Forgemasters, Barnsley College

Josh Gavin, Stelrad Radiators Ltd, AMRC

Peter Bates, Sheffield Forgemasters Engineering Ltd, Sheffield Hallam University

Advanced Apprentice

Ava Boswell, Enable Futures, The Sheffield College

Lily Graham, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, The Sheffield College

Technology and Digital Apprentice

Hayder Amer, HSBC, ADA - The National College for Digital Skills

Jack Jolley, 1101, Baltic Apprenticeships

Jonathan Blackledge, Barnsley College

Juhi Shah, HSBC, ADA - The National College for Digital Skills

Kennedy Ellis, HSBC, ADA - The National College for Digital Skills

Libby Whitehorn, LNER, Sheffield Hallam

Mark Hazlewood, 1101, Baltic Apprenticeships

Molly Islip, Landmarks Specialist College, Whyy? Change

Apprentice Ambassador of the Year, Sponsored by Barnsley College

Adeshola Adebowale, Sheffield Hallam University

Amy Wheatley , Equans Regeneration Ltd, RNN Group

Blake Jay Penney, Qualter Hall & Co Ltd, AMRC

Hasiba Nawaz , Balmoral Tanks Ltd, AMRC

Jashanpreet Ralla, HSBC UK, ADA - The National College for Digital Skills

Kennedy Ellis, HSBC, ADA - The National College for Digital Skills

Olivia Buckley, First Intuition Yorkshire and Humber

Mentor of the Year

Bethany Dunnill, Barnsley College

Emily Whitfield, Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS FT, BPP University

Mark Jackson, Network Rail, Sheffield Hallam University

Matt Crow, LNER, Sheffield Hallam University

Rachael Wood, First Intuition Yorkshire and Humber

Tracy Maclaren, Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS FT, Sheffield Hallam University

SME Employer of the Year

1101 Limited, Baltic Apprenticeships and Whyy Change

Dalton Roofing Ltd, Leeds Building College

OLS Ltd, Skills for Security

Large Employer of the Year

Equans Regeneration Limited, RNN Group

St Leger Homes of Doncaster Ltd

The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

Training Provider/Programme, Sponsored by Sheffield Forgemasters

Clear Quality Ltd

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Apprenticeship, Barnsley College

First Intuition Yorkshire and Humber

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship Programme, Sheffield Hallam University

The University of Sheffield Nursing Apprenticeships, The University of Sheffield

Whyy? Change

Buy tickets for the awards ceremony on Thursday May 21 here.