Exeter College Celebrates the Best of the Best at Apprentice and Employer Awards
Held at Sandy Park, the annual Apprentice and Employer Awards was a night of celebration and recognition, displaying the incredible achievements of Apprentices and the employers who support them. This year’s event featured former Exeter Chiefs Captain Gareth Steenson as the guest speaker, adding extra inspiration and motivation to the evening.
With over 20 categories spanning various fields, the awards highlighted the diversity and excellence within the Apprenticeship programmes.
Nigel Fenn MBE was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships Award by Gareth Steenson and Sam Wilson
Mike Blakeley, Executive Director of Future Skills, and Apprenticeships expressed his admiration for the nominees, stating;
“These awards showcase the amazing Apprentices and employers that Exeter College has the pleasure of working with. This year, with over 250 nominations, we have selected the best of the best to be rewarded for their dedication, hard work and support that make apprenticeships genuinely great.
“Our employer network continues to grow and delivers some of the best support young people and adults will receive to make sure they are a success and have lifelong careers in their chosen sector.”
Jessica Cowlard was presented with the Health and Care Apprentice of the Year Award
Tracey Mills, Apprenticeships and Early Careers Manager from Devon County Council, shared a story about one of their own apprentices, Luke Freathy, who won the Business and Professional Services Apprentice of the Year award. She praised Luke’s contributions, saying, “Luke winning tonight is a testament to his hard work and brilliant recognition of him and all he has put into his Apprenticeship. He thoroughly deserves it.”
She emphasized the positive impact Apprentices have on businesses, saying;
“We have quite a big Apprenticeship programme at the council – they bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and apply what they’ve learnt through their Apprenticeship and that drives our business forward. We have a motivated, enthusiastic workforce, who are learning the latest skills, knowledge, and behaviours and applying it in their work. They are our future.”
Luke Freathy was this years winner of the Business and Professional Services Apprentice of the Year
Luke Freathy, a Level 3 Business Administrator Apprentice at Devon County Council in the Public Transport Team, took home the award for the Business and Professional Services Apprentice of the Year. He said;
“I chose an Apprenticeship because I wanted to carry on with my education, but I didn’t want to go to university. After my A Levels I realised how much I wanted to get into some practical skills and earn whilst I’m learning.
“I’m enjoying it so far; it’s been good from a social standpoint and being able to save money and build practical skills that will stand me in good stead in my career.
“It’s nice to be nominated and it feels like my hard work has been recognised. I am really excited to be here this evening.”
The awards were hosted by two current Exeter College Apprentices, Lucy Joyce (Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice) and Sam Osman (Level 4 Junior Management Consultant Apprenticeship at GWR.) Speaking about hosting and being an Apprentice Sam said;
“I feel honoured, it’s a privilege to be here this evening. I’m halfway through my Apprenticeship and I have gained so much valuable experience already from different areas of the business at GWR. The mixture of academic work and practical work is what makes Apprenticeships so special.”
Exeter College’s Annual Apprentice and Employer Awards continues to be a cornerstone event, celebrating the achievements of Apprentices and the vital role of employers in shaping future careers. The evening not only recognised individual accomplishments but also underscored the importance of Apprenticeship programmes in building a skilled and enthusiastic workforce for the future.
Many employers were also recognised at the awards for the contribution to the success of Apprenticeships
Outstanding Exeter College Students Honoured at Awards Night
Exeter College’s Student Awards celebration has recognised the exceptional individuals whose determination and aspiration stood out in what has been a record-breaking year of achievement at the College.
Over 180 guests attended the glamourous awards ceremony, held at the Mercure Rougemont Hotel on 18 January 2024, to celebrate inspirational students from a wide range of College courses.
The awards mark the culmination of yet another outstanding year at the College. Highlights include the College’s best ever academic and vocational results and a full Ofsted inspection in which Exeter College became the first college in England to secure the two top grades of Outstanding (overall effectiveness) and Strong (how effectively the College meets the skills needs of the area). Students have continued to shine in every area of College life, with standout performances in every faculty and curriculum area.
John Laramy CBE, Chief Executive and Principal at Exeter Collegesaid;
“I would like to congratulate all of tonight’s award winners. It is truly fantastic to see students from all subject areas here this evening, representing the wide range of courses and opportunities available at Exeter College.
“We are extremely proud of all our students, who contributed to one of the most successful years in the long history of the College, with an impressive array of results and achievements. I would like to thank all our students and our staff, who collectively, have yet again shown why we are rated as one of the best colleges in the entire nation.I would like to wish all those students who completed their studies with us last year the very best for the future, keep in touch!
“I must also extend a massive thank you to our partners, sponsors, and employers, whose collaboration, challenge and commitment means that as a College, we are able to offer amazing opportunities and experiences to our students.”
The College was delighted to welcome Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, as the Guest of Honour at the awards.
Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said:
“I am delighted to have been invited as the Guest of Honour for Exeter College’s annual student awards. These outstanding students will be our future leaders, and having the opportunity to celebrate their achievements with them was a real pleasure. They have worked so hard and they fully deserve their recognition.
“The University of Exeter and Exeter College have a longstanding partnership, and a shared purpose and ambition to see the city of Exeter, and the South West region, thrive. Both institutions believe very strongly in the power of education to change the world for the better, and together we are making a lasting difference to our region, through improving skills, breaking down barriers to attainment, and training the next generation. It is a partnership we deeply value, and one we hope will go from strength-to-strength in the coming years.”
The 26 award winners enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on their impressive achievements and the chance to catch up with past tutors and teachers.
Kaja Potoniec (pictured above) was awarded Higher Apprentice of the Year after being a standout student on the HNC Civil Engineering Apprenticeship. Kaja also undertook two additional Level 5 units which allowed her to progress to a Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Exeter. Kaja says it was unexpected when she was told she had won this award.
“I had a really good learning experience. Everyone was really helpful and the fact that I could do the extra modules which helped me progress was fantastic, I just couldn’t have done it without the support of the College. Tonight shows that anything is possible really.”
Nick Jarvis (pictured above) was a member of the Learner Leadership Team and a Student Representative, sharing feedback in the Learner Voice forum, as well as volunteering at College events. He studied A Levels in Maths, Physics and French. He was awarded EXtra Learner of Year. Nick is currently on a gap year and will be studying Physics at university this September. He said;
“I really enjoyed College, everyone was really welcoming. I had a lot of medical challenges and I was given a lot of support.
“All the work with EXtra really helped my interpersonal skills and built up my confidence, it was nice to speak with students I wouldn’t normally meet.
“It’s been a really nice experience tonight, it’s great to see my tutor again and my teachers so I’m very happy to be here.”
Katie Carlo (pictured above) came to Exeter College from the Teign School and studied the T Level in Education and Childcare and gaining an impressive Distinction Star. She won T Level Learner of the Year and is now doing an Education Degree at Cardiff University.
“When I first came in tonight, and saw it was so grand, I was a bit nervous but then I saw my tutor which was so nice. It was a pleasant surprise to get my award, I was happy. With my course, it turns out, I was one of nine in the country to get that grade which was a bit of a shock.
“I wanted to come to Exeter because of the city and to meet more people and have the choice of the variety of courses. I chose the T Level and really enjoyed my placement; it was arranged very easily, and it was a good distance from home. College was very flexible in helping me with what I wanted so I did a Teaching Assistant role.”
The winners of the ExeCollProud Award: Irsana Dombaeva, Kamila Elyasi, Sapida Elyasi, Hadees Khan, Zaid Razeen and Zainab Razeen pictured with tutor Matt Hine and Assistant Principal Sam Hillman
The final Award of the evening is the #ExeCollProud Award, chosen for those who have gone above and beyond, often overcoming exceptional circumstances. This year the Award went to a group of learners who impressed everyone from the moment they arrived at the College and started studying on the fast track GCSE programme. This award went to Irsana Dombaeva, Kamila Elyasi, Sapida Elyasi, Hadees Khan, Zaid Razeen and Zainab Razeen who had some incredible success with the GCSEs they sat in the summer, all now moving on to advanced courses at the College. Sapida Elyasi said;
“I can confidently say that one of the most enjoyable things about studying at Exeter College is the supportive community, staff members (teachers and others), that are willing to help and support however they can, allowing us to fully express ourselves and our potential.
“It didn’t feel like we have been pressured to do anything during preparation for GCSEs and even though everyone is studying more complicated courses now, we still feel that support from everyone in College.
“College is a place where we’re not afraid to ask for help. We are all grateful for this opportunity and for being nominated, it means a lot to us.”
Zainab Razeen added;
“Receiving this award has further motivated me to continue striving for excellence in my academic pursuits. It’s a reminder of the impact that determination and perseverance can have on achieving our goals. I am excited to build upon this nomination and continue my educational journey with enthusiasm and dedication.”
The College would like to congratulate all the 2024 award winners and say a big thank you to all the sponsors who make this inspirational event possible.
Award Category
Student
Sponsor
Award for Academic Excellence
Joshua Dargan
Peninsula Project Consulting
Award for Academic Excellence
Zoe Garner
Exeter Science Park
IB Learner of the Year
Eleanor Keay
Foot Anstey
Award for Vocational & Technical Excellence
William Turner
Focus
Award for Vocational & Technical Excellence
Sennen O’Connor
Exeter Aerospace
T Level Learner of the Year
Katie Carlo
Stagecoach
Apprentice of the Year
Aimee Fantham
Taylor Lewis
Higher Apprentice of the Year
Kaja Potoniec
Willmott Dixon
Digital Media Academy Student of the Year
Hugo Brizs
Nevada Construction
Performing Arts Academy Student of the Year
Elsie Gordon
Cartridges Law
Michael Caines Academy Student of the Year
Bryher Wilson
Lympstone Manor
Reach Academy Student of the Year
Therese Walsh
University of Exeter
Esports Academy Student of the Year
Oscar Bonner
Timewade
Sports Academy Student of the Year
Daniel Preece
Exeter “CITY” Community Trust
School of Art Student of the Year
Maisie Pepperell
Pollards
ESOL Student of the Year
Pamfiluta Petrescu
Refugee Support Devon
The HILL Student of the Year
Loui Benthall
Coreus
Bootcamp Learner of the Year
Lucy Yates
digiLab
Higher Technical Learner of the Year
Daniel Leigh
Optix Solutions
EXtra Learner of the Year
Nicholas Jarvis
Exeter Cathedral
The #ExeCollProud Award
Irsana Dombaeva, Kamila Elyasi, Sapida Elyasi, Hadees Khan, Zaid Razeen and Zainab Razeen
GWR
Exeter College Students Wins the JISC Digital Student Award
Exeter College ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learner Rahmatullah Omid, has been awarded the JISC Digital Student Award for positively embracing technology.
Rahmatullah Omid came to the College as a Refugee from Afghanistan, having never used a computer, and has now progressed to win an award. He started studying a Essential Digital Skills course, alongside ESOL Level 2 in Listening, Reading and Writing. Rahmatullah has now progressed onto ESOL Level 3. He said;
“I was surprised and shocked. I’m very happy to win the award. I have enjoyed my time at Exeter College. I like the teaching and my English and computer skills have improved a lot.
Speaking about the future, he said;
“I want to improve my education; I would like to go to university in the UK.”
Since 2020, we’ve experienced a world where face-to-face communication hasn’t always been possible and therefore having a grasp on digital technology and communication is vital to stay connected. This free Essential Digital Skills course is more important than ever and can help learners on the stepping stone to something else.
The course covers topics such as being responsible, legal and safe online, communicating online, and creating and editing (Word and Access/Spreadsheets).
Rahmatullah’s teacher Krisztina Tadhunter nominated him for the award after completing an 8-week computer course last year. She said;
“I am in awe and admiration of Rahmatullah’s total dedication to his studies. His positive approach and passion for technology have also proved inspirational for his peers.
“Rahmatullah’s progress in English Language and IT Skills, despite language barriers, has been truly inspiring. His drive and hard work have led to a great achievement. I am excited about where Rahmatullah will direct his talent next.”
You can find out more about free Digital Essential Skills courses at our next Open Event or call our Adult Advice Team on 01392 400170.
Exeter College Alumni Celebrated at Glamourous Awards Night
Exeter College was delighted to return to an in-person event for this year’s Student Awards. Over 100 guests attended the 2023 awards ceremony at the Mercure Rougemont Hotel, celebrating the very best from a wide range of courses and achievements.
This group of students emerged from the pandemic and managed to deliver a set of exceptional results from all areas of the College. Their level of ambition has ensured they have achieved what they set out to do, with students progressing to an impressive list of universities, graduate schemes or directly into employment.
John Laramy CBE, Chief Executive and Principal at Exeter College said;
“I would like to congratulate all of tonight’s award winners, last year’s students and apprentices across the college combined to create one of the most successful years in our long History – thank you! Students delivered our best ever A Level results, outstanding T Level results and a stunning range of achievements, that covered every facet of college life. We are proud that you now become an Exeter College alumni.
“Our partners continue to work positively and proactively with us to make a meaningful difference to the student experience. I would also like to thank our sponsors and our employers; their ongoing support is, simply superb!”
College Patron Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice Principal Jade Otty, Chair of Governors Bindu Arjoon, Principal John Laramy, Simon Jupp MP and Suzanne Tracey, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust.
The College was delighted to welcome Suzanne Tracey as guest speaker to the awards. Suzanne is the Chief Executive Officer for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and has been instrumental in creating a sector leading relationship with the College which means that students can access work experience opportunities and occupationally specific pathways, such as midwifery.
Suzanne Tracey, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said:
“I’ve been delighted to be part of these special awards, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of students at Exeter College.
“We are really proud of our partnership with the College, which offers students the opportunity to find their future career, through a number of innovative qualifications and hands-on work experience, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.
“The students we work with are fantastic and we are excited to see what we can do together next.”
Students from the 2021/22 academic year were invited back to celebrate their impressive achievements and have the chance to catch up with past tutors and teachers.
Lily Tomlinson achieved the outstanding accolade of being the highest performing A Level PE student in the country.
Lily Tomlinson studied A Levels in Maths, Biology and PE and won an award for Academic Excellence. She is now studying at Loughborough University doing Sport and Exercise Science and is hoping to work in elite sport. She said;
“It’s an honour to be here, the college is so big, and all my friends did very well too so it’s a nice surprise.
“College really widened my horizons; it was a great steppingstone from school before university and made me take more responsibility for myself but there was still a lot of support when I needed it.”
Louis Skilton captained the College’s Esports League of Legends team in two national Esports finals.
Louis Skilton studied Esports Production and Management at College and is now doing a degree in Coaching and Management at the new College of Esports in London. He is planning to play internationally and is already speaking with companies about managing teams. Louis won the award for Esports Academy Student of the Year. He said:
“I’ve never seen as much passion and enthusiasm as I did at Exeter College in all my years of education, it changed learning for me. I had amazing opportunities like being interviewed by BBC Spotlight and competing in National Championships.
“This award feels like gratification for all the hard work, but I also feel like anyone could have got it as the whole team was amazing.”
Joshua Dyer studied the T Level in Software Development and did his work placement with Teignbridge Propellors where he now works as a Junior Software Developer. He won an award for Vocational and Technical Excellence and said;
“I’m really happy to be here tonight. My time at college was amazing, the way the course was taught was dynamic, practical, and hands-on. I would recommend it. The tutors and staff were amazing. Everyone is really friendly, I made lifelong friends.”
The College would like to congratulate all the 2023 award winners and say a big thank you to all our Sponsors who make this event possible.
Exeter College Scoops Seven Awards at National BTEC Awards 2022
The exceptional achievement of Exeter College BTEC learners was celebrated on Friday at the prestigious Pearson BTEC Awards. As well as a number of learners picking up awards, Exeter College was named as Silver BTEC College of the Year for 2022.
Six learners from the College were recognised by teachers and peers for their outstanding work while studying for the qualification. Exeter College would like to congratulate the following learners on their fantastic achievement.
The award winners are:
Keiko Saruta – Bronze – BTEC IT and Computing Learner of the Year 2022
Hal Furneaux-Gotch – Bronze – BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2022
Megan Fowler – Bronze – BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2022
Harry Glanville – Silver – BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2022
Chris Pratt – Silver – BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2022
Matthew Wood – Silver – BTEC Sport Learner of the Year 2022
Exeter College student, Harry Glanvile, was awarded a Silver for BTEC Construction Learner of the Year. He said;
“Studying a HNC in Civil Engineering at Exeter College was a great stepping stone for me. The specialist knowledge and skills I have learnt during this career focused course has allowed me to apply them in the workplace while working on real life scenarios.
“After completing the BTEC course, this then opened doors for me to continue my progression to a university course so that I can progress in my career of civil engineering. I’m very happy that my hard work has been recognised through this award. I would like to thank the staff at Exeter College, I really appreciate the nomination and I would also like to thank my employer, Pell Frischmann, for the continued support.”
Exeter College student, Hal Furneaux-Gotch, studied for a HNC in Construction and was awarded a Bronze in the BTEC Construction Learner of the Year category. He said:
“My time at Exeter College has been invaluable in furthering my career in the construction industry, developing my academic knowledge and vocational skills, as well as putting me in contact with a wide range of others working in the sector.
“My HNC, combined with my vocational portfolio, has allowed me to obtain Chartered Construction Project Manager (MCIOB) status, and both have made me significantly more employable, having been offered several jobs since finishing the course. Upon completion of my HNC, I was promoted into a senior civil engineer role in local government.
“I am very honoured to have been awarded a Bronze Learner of the Year Award; the COVID-19 pandemic started during my first year of study and so all learning had to be completed remotely. This, alongside all the other challenges associated with the pandemic, made study more difficult than expected and consequently it’s great to have this work recognised.”
The BTEC provision at Exeter College was also awarded with a Silver BTEC College of the Year Award, recognising the hard work of staff and learners alike.
John Laramy CBE, Principal and CEO at Exeter College said;
“We are very proud of our BTEC provision at Exeter College and our learners who continue to exceed, both at College and within their chosen field.
“We are delighted to have this hard work recognised by the prestigious Pearson BTEC Awards as it highlights the outstanding opportunities that these qualifications provide.”
Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President for Vocational Qualifications and Training at Pearson said;
“After two long years spent giving or receiving lessons behind a computer screen, through face masks, or socially distanced, 2022 has been a whirlwind for everyone involved in education. Considering this, it makes the inspiring achievements documented in Exeter College’s submission all the more impressive. The hard work and commitment they – and all our award winners – demonstrated is extraordinary.”
Hundreds of thousands of learners across the globe have completed BTEC courses over the past year. The career-focused qualifications are a vital route for those pursuing careers in sectors such as IT, business, the creative industries, healthcare, engineering, construction and future industries. Many of these industries are suffering from staff shortages and skills gaps which this year’s graduates will be more than equipped to fill.
Find out more about BTEC courses at Exeter College.
Ready to apply? Applications are now open and you can easily apply online.
Exeter College Scoops Top Award at the AAC Apprenticeship Awards
Nominees for the Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Awards recently gathered to celebrate excellence in apprenticeship delivery. With a record-breaking number of entries, the bar was set high.
Exeter College is delighted to have scooped the award for Legal, Finance and Accounting Apprenticeship Provider of the Year.
Sarah Mandeno, Head of Faculty for Professional Adult Learning at Exeter College said:
“We are delighted to have won the Legal, Finance and Accounting Apprenticeship Provider of the Year Award at the AAC Apprenticeship Awards. We have a passionate and committed team and an ambitious curriculum that develops highly skilled, confident and ethical accountants who add value to the finance sector and the local community.
“The growth and development of the provision over the last few years and a new professional space at the Future Skills Centre, has hugely enhanced the experience for our apprentices.”
The College supports 120 finance sector employer partners from Paddington to Penzance – including key players like GWR and Simpkin Edwards.
The qualifications and values of awarding body, AAT, are embedded in the heart of the College’s provision and influence engagement strategies. Employer focus groups allow the College to understand business needs, populating their calendar of events with employer conferences, webinars and networking opportunities for employers and Apprentices alike.
Samantha Wilson, Head of Apprenticeships at Exeter College said;
“This award represents the hard work and relentless commitment of so many amazing curriculum teams and employer collaborations, making remarkable things happen here at the College.”
AAT Regional Account Manager Amy Ammar said:
“Exeter College’s Apprenticeship programmes provide great progression pathways for Accounting Apprentices giving them the valuable employability and professional skills to progress along their career path.”
Exeter College is officially one of the Best to Work For in 2022
Exeter College has officially been named as one of the ‘UK’s Best Large Companies to Work For’ in the Best Companies League Tables for Quarter 1. Exeter College was ranked 65th in the large company list, 4th in the not-for-profit body category and 28th in the regional list.
This ranking recognises the college’s commitment to its employees and demonstrates that they see workplace engagement as a vital part of their success. Exeter College has an ambition to be an exceptional employer where staff thrive because they feel valued, engaged, and challenged. Taking part in the Best Companies survey gives staff another way in which to feedback and enables the college to make effective changes.
Principal and CEO, John Laramy CBE said;
“As a college, we recognise that our staff are our most valuable asset, therefore for them to place us in three Best Companies lists for Quarter 1 is a brilliant accolade for the college, especially given the challenges of the pandemic. Our staff continue to show day in day out why we are an outstanding college and as Principal I absolutely recognise that we have a brilliant staff team. We aim to use the feedback from our staff, in the Best Companies analysis to become a truly exceptional employer where all our staff thrive, feel valued and enjoy what they do.”
This prestigious Top 100 UK ranking is based on a staff survey at the college measuring eight factors such as leadership, personal growth and giving something back.
“The thing that makes Exeter College exceptional is the people.”
Simon Takel, Lecturer in Leadership and Management at Exeter College
Gemma Noble, Director of People and Organisational Development at Exeter College said;
“We are incredibly proud of our staff and everything they achieve. It is fantastic to be placed by them in these three 2022 Best Companies lists for Quarter 1. Our aim is to keep listening and enhancing how and what we do here at the college in order that we can be the very best employer we can.”
One of the key strengths in the survey, highlighted by Exeter College staff, was ‘my team’. Meaning staff rated questions relating to their teams and collaboration highly.
Simon Takel, Lecturer in Leadership and Management at Exeter College, said;
“The thing that makes Exeter College exceptional is the people. The people at the College are amazing, there is always support available with teaching or personal development or anything really – which is great. There is a culture of wanting to develop and improve all the time, there’s a drive from higher management to better things and not just rest on our laurels. It could be extremely easy to say, we are an Outstanding College, but there’s a drive to push to the next level and I think that drive for continuous improvement is important.”
Exeter College congratulates all those organisations who have made the national, regional and sector Q1 lists.
January 1989: Exeter College wins the Longmans Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
As part of Exeter College celebrating 50 years as the UK’s first ever tertiary college, we’re talking to some of the inspirational students, staff and alumni who have helped make us the Ofsted Outstanding education provider we are today.
Express and Echo, January 1989
This month 31 years ago, Exeter College celebrated being given the esteemed Longmans Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, gaining recognition for the quality of education the School of Business Services had provided for its secretarial students.
The award was presented by the Minister for the Environment Virginia Bottomley to Doreen Askew, Secretarial course co-ordinator and Frances Petersen, Head of the School of Business Services. They were given a trophy and a cheque for £500 at the reform club, Pall Mall.
Principal at the time Dr John Capey was thrilled that the staff’s work had been rewarded.
Exeter College is celebrating 50 years since being named as the UK’s first tertiary college. Although our roots date back to the 1800s, our status as a tertiary college marked a revolution in further education and 2020 marks our 50 years of excellence since that landmark. If you have a memory of Exeter College through the years that you’d like to share then contact marketing@exe-coll.ac.uk or get involved on social media using #ExeColl50
