Shortlists 2025
Apprentice of the Year (Levels 2-3)
Aston Aldred | Electrium Sales Ltd, Wigan & Leigh College
Charlie Ward | Manchester Institute of Health & Performance – Nuffield Health, Coach Core / Lifetime Training
Demi Godiff | Sellick Partnership, Damar Training
Gerrard Ashcroft | IACS Training and Education, Hopwood Hall College
Imogen Moore | Brighter Beginnings Day Nursery Newton Heath, Race Ahead
Niall Weldon | NEMA LTD, Rochdale Training
Taylor Mcloughin | Cubic Works Limited, Total People
Sponsored by:
Apprentice of the Year (Levels 4-7)
Emelia Thorley | United Utilities, NowSkills
Freddy Waldron-Cokayne | United Utilities, NowSkills
Grace Ormesher-Southall | Sellafield Ltd, Wigan & Leigh College
Nathan Donnelly | Turner and Townsend, University of Salford
Niamh Clarke | PwC, Kaplan
Phoebe Hall | Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, University of Salford
Rachel Lees | Money Plus Group, Total People
Sponsored by:
16-19 Learner of the Year
Binish Qureshi | MPCT (part of Learning Curve Group)
Elenya Arnaoutis | Clarendon Sixth Form College
Jenson Backhouse | Groundwork GM
Kelsie Fitzsimmons | Wigan & Leigh College
Lewis Morrison | Hopwood Hall College
Natalie Killoran | Hopwood Hall College
Sponsored by:
Adult Learner of the Year
Laura Robinson | Xyrius Training
Maryam Gulzar Hussain | Manchester Adult Education Service
Michelle Crowther | Mantra Learning
Saadia Aziz | Manchester Adult Education Service
Sean Doyle | Construction Skills People
Sponsored by:
Shining Star of the Year
Anthony Johnson | Positive Steps
Benjamin Hogg | Greater Manchester Police, University of Salford
Donna Beattie | Wigan Adult Learning and Skills
Leon Williams | PVS Group Ltd, The Growth Company
Maksym Kokhan | The Casey Group, Hopwood Hall College
Sponsored by:
Unsung Hero of the Year
Catherine Mullins | The Manchester College
Charlotte Todd | Alliance Learning
Claire Donaldson | Northern Care Alliance
Dave Bradbury | Elevated Knowledge
Ian Hall | Bolton College
Liza Lloyd | Acorn Training
Sponsored by:
Team of the Year
3t Training Serivces
Care Services Team | Apprenticeships at Salford City College
GM Fire & Rescue Service
Apprenticeship Unit | Manchester Metropolitan University
Supported Internship Team | Pure Innovations
Student Enrichment Team | Trafford & Stockport College Group
Apprenticeship Team | Wigan and Leigh College
Sponsored by:
SME of the Year
Cara Group
DF Capital
IACS Training and Education
R&B Switchgear Group
Stepping Stone Projects
Sponsored by:
Large Employer of the Year
Essity
Hyde Group
LWC Drinks
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
MBDA
Sponsored by:
Community Initiative of the Year
Catch22 | Tik Tok Creative Academy
Coach Core Foundation
Cookson First Aid
Diversity Matters North West
RISE UP
Southway Housing Trust
Wigan and Leigh College | Re-Engage Programme
Sponsored by:
Outstanding Innovation of the Year
Hopwood Hall College | Innovation Team
Manchester Adult Education Service | manadulted.app
Positive Steps & Rochdale Borough Council | Engaging Rochdale & Rochdale Youth Works
Funding Futures
Wigan and Leigh College | Engineering Department
Sponsored by:
Partnership Project of the Year
Bolton College | Health Education Initiative
Construction Skills People & Manchester City Council | Collyhurst Skills Training Centre
Higher Health & Partners | Higher Health Education Programme
Manchester City Council & Partners | UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning
Salford City College Group & Partners | Build Salford
The Manchester College & Manchester Art Gallery | Future Creatives
Trafford & Stockport College Group & Manchester Airport Group | Airport Academy
Sponsored by:
