Apprentice and Employer Awards: Nominations Now Open

We are thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the Exeter College Apprenticeship and Employer Awards 2025! These prestigious awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of our apprentices and the unwavering support of our employer partners.

Why Nominate?

The Exeter College Apprenticeship and Employer Awards recognise:

Outstanding Apprentices: Individuals who have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and growth in their respective fields.

Supportive Employers: Organisations that have provided exemplary training, mentorship, and opportunities for apprentices to thrive.

How to Nominate

Submitting a nomination is straightforward:

For Apprentice Nominations: Complete the Apprentice Nomination Form

For Employer Nominations: Complete the Employer Nomination Form

Each form will guide you through the necessary steps to ensure your nominee receives the recognition they deserve.

Please submit all nominations by the 14^th of March.

Join Us in Celebrating Excellence

By participating in the Exeter College Apprenticeship and Employer Awards, you contribute to a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Let’s come together to honour those who make a significant impact in the world of apprenticeships. Winners will be honoured at a special ceremony on the 20^th of June 2025.

For more information or assistance with the nomination process, please contact us at apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400800. We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the achievements of our outstanding apprentices and employers.

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

Exeter College and Radio Exe celebrate Devon’s Outstanding Apprentice Employers

In partnership with Radio Exe, Exeter College hosted a celebratory lunch at their student-run restaurant @thirty-four for the winners of the Employer Apprenticeship Awards 2021.

The awards, held in November 2021, celebrated Devon’s exemplar Apprenticeship employers, highlighting the businesses that go above and beyond in helping their Apprentices succeed.

Five awards were open to entries, including Devon’s Outstanding Tutor, Devon’s Apprentice Champion, and Small, Medium and Large Business Employer.

A panel of judges including representatives from Radio Exe shortlisted 3 finalists, with overall winners voted for by the public and Radio Exe listeners.

Exeter College work with over 950 businesses across the South West, so it is no small feat to be a winner in the Employer Apprenticeship Awards.
Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Future Skills

The winners were announced on air during Radio Exe’s Matt Roger’s Breakfast show on Thursday 4^th November, during which Matt called Devon’s Outstanding Tutor, Gill McGill, live to deliver the good news.

The winners were:

Devon’s Outstanding Tutor: Gill McGill, Exeter College

Apprentice Champion: Caroline Milner, Combe Pafford School

Large Business: Devon County Council

Medium Business: Simpkins Edwards LLP

Small Business: The Mortgage Quarter

Apprentice Champion 1 – Caroline Milner, John Laramy

Apprentice Champion 2 – Caroline Milner, Sam Swann

Large Business winner 4 – Devon County Council – Hayden Boatman, Kimberley Lewis, Amy Kyme

Meduim Business winner 1 – Simpkin Edwards LLP

Meduim Business winner 2 – Simpkin Edwards LLP

Outstanding Tutor 1 – Gill McGill, John Laramy

Small Business winner 2 – The Mortagage Quarter – Richard Gigg, Charlie Hart, Ellie Hensley-Jones

Small Business winner 3 – The Mortagage Quarter – Richard Gigg, Charlie Hart, Ellie Hensley-Jones

All winners and guests were invited to attend Exeter College’s @thirty-four restaurant for a celebratory lunch on Wednesday 16^th March 2022. @thirty-four is run by young chefs and waiting staff who are all students studying Hospitality & Catering at Exeter College.

This exciting event brought together representatives from the winning organisations, Exeter College and Radio Exe. Trophies were presented by Exeter College Principal and CEO John Laramy.

“Exeter College work with over 950 businesses across the South West, so it is no small feat to be a winner in the Employer Apprenticeship Awards. Each winner is well worthy of this outstanding recognition.

Testament to this is that the businesses chose to bring their current Apprentices to the lunch, truly putting young people at the heart of the celebration.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.”

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Future Skills

Exeter College are excited to announce that their annual Apprentice and Employer Awards will be returning this summer for their fifth year. For more information about these awards or for details about Apprenticeship schemes, please contact apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400 800.

Exeter College Shortlisted for National Award for Employer Engagement

Exeter College has made it to the finals of the Association of Colleges Beacon City & Guilds Award for Engagement with Employers.

The Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year. This award, supported by City and Guild, recognises exemplary practice in demonstrating an outstanding ability to work with and provide a direct service to employers. In particular, colleges that are effective in meeting employers’ skills needs and Apprenticeship requirements.

“The appetite for local businesses to turn work experience into fantastic Apprenticeship opportunities has never been stronger and more beneficial,”
Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Exeter College

Exeter College has made the coveted list of four finalists; recognised for engaging with employers and facing the skills challenges of industry in a proactive way.

The college’s Apprenticeships programme has had a hugely successful year, building on a legacy of success for students in industry. Businesses across a range of different sectors are currently hosting Exeter College students, with the record levels of recruitment, totalling 1150 new Apprentices, joining the college in the last academic year.

A recent Department for Education survey also announced Exeter College as the top-rated further education college in the South West for business satisfaction, solidifying the college’s status as a leading provider of Apprenticeships to its network of 950 businesses across the region.

Students at Exeter College continue to develop their employability skills across a variety of courses in collaboration between the college and its affiliated local and national employers.

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Exeter College, was delighted about the acknowledgement of the college’s partner-focused approach with employers.

“We’re all thrilled to have been selected based on the work we do with employers,” said Mike.

“We are coming to the end of an ambitious five-year strategic plan and this is another accolade that helps us to realise our aspirations of becoming the Apprenticeship provider of choice for the business community right across the region.

“We always want to ensure our students get the most out of their experience working in industry and that employers see the value of working with colleges to face the skills challenges of the future together. The appetite for local businesses to turn work experience into fantastic Apprenticeship opportunities has never been stronger and more beneficial.

“We are constantly looking to build on and improve the experience for businesses and employers as part of our ongoing mission to be a truly exceptional education and Apprenticeship provider.”

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “Colleges often don’t get the recognition they deserve, the AoC Beacon Awards aim to showcase exactly why colleges are so important and reward their dedication to learners and their progress in the workforce. Colleges produce the workers of the future and it’s clear from those who have made it through to the final three that their contribution to local and regional economic development must be valued.”

Applications are open now to study with Exeter College in September 2020.

If you’re an employer or a young person considering getting involved in Apprenticeships, contact our team on Apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400800 to discuss your options.