Plymouth construction and manufacturing apprentices’ achievements celebrated

Outstanding local construction and manufacturing apprentices have been recognised for their skills and high standards demonstrated in their efforts and achievements at an awards ceremony held as part of Plymouth’s National Apprenticeship Week 2026.

The Apprentice of the Year Awards were presented jointly by Building Plymouth and the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG), with nominations submitted by local construction and advanced manufacturing employers, with the awards recognising nearly 60 talented apprentices who were celebrated at the ceremony held at Market Hall, Devonport.

Introducing the awards ceremony, Cllr Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships at Plymouth City Council said: “It was fitting to hold this celebration in National Apprenticeship Week 2026 with the theme ‘Skills for Life,’ a good chance to reflect on how the opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ can help both young people to start their career journey and adults to change career direction. These apprentice awards truly represent the very best of achievement in two of Plymouth’s high growth sectors: construction and the built environment, and advanced manufacturing and engineering. This important week and our inspiring annual Apprentice Awards celebration presents us with a great platform to shine a light on the amazing opportunities that an apprenticeship brings to employers, individuals and the economy. I thank all our local employers and training providers who continue to invest and support our apprentices. I am delighted to share a personal congratulations to everyone celebrated.”

At the awards ceremony, Finalist, Highly Commended and Winning apprentices were all celebrated for their success and commended for the high standards they have shown in their achievements and skills developed during their apprenticeships. The full list of apprentices recognised in the awards are detailed further below.   

During the celebration, Connor Byrne with Larc Construction and Skills Group undertaking a Groundworker Apprenticeship Level 2 was presented the highly respected Ron Simmonds Construction Trade Apprentice of the Year 2026 Award. Upon accepting his award, Connor said: “I’m still in shock. Skills Group have been incredibly supportive, and I can’t thank my employer Larc Construction enough. My team are truly amazing, and I couldn’t ask for better people to work with. I’m loving every second of my apprenticeship, and it’s all thanks to them.”

Next up, Ellie Doddridge was awarded the prestigious Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2026 Award. Employed by Classic Builders and studying with City College Plymouth in partnership with University of Plymouth, Ellie is undertaking a Quantity Surveying Technician and Construction Site Supervision Apprenticeship Level 4. On receiving her award, Ellie said: “I feel incredibly grateful to be receiving this award. The people and networks around me have truly supported me, encouraged me, and helped me get to where I am today. I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Presenting the construction apprentice awards as Building Plymouth’s Chair, David Bayliss, Design and Business Manager at Obedair Construction said: “The Apprentice of the Year Awards are certainly a highlight event and I am delighted to present awards to the city’s top construction and built environment apprentices. With Plymouth facing its most ambitious capital build programme in 25 years along with the drive towards transitioning to a net zero carbon economy, we recognise through our Building Plymouth partnership how important investment in apprenticeships will be to deliver this growth locally. Huge congratulations to all the winners and finalists for our Building Plymouth awards!”

The PMG Apprentice of the Year Awards were again sponsored by Make UK, with Jim Davison, Make UK’s National Membership Director both judging and presenting the awards to the winners and finalists. Reflecting on the awards, Jim said: “Once again, our task as judges was particularly difficult such was the outstanding level and record number of nominations received. The dedication that these apprentices have towards their apprenticeships, their companies and their colleagues, is hugely reassuring for the continued strength of the UK’s vital manufacturing industry. While we shine a light and heartily congratulate the winners, we must loudly applaud all the finalists for their hard work and passion for our sector. It is always rewarding to support the PMG Apprentice of the Year Awards and celebrate our industry’s future talent in this way.”

The PMG’s awards covered Manufacturing and Engineering Rising Star and Final Year Apprentices of the Year and Business in Manufacturing Rising Star and Final Year Apprentices of the Year. Kieren O’Donnell who is an Industrial Engineering Apprentice at Alstom and training with Aston University was presented the 2026 Final Year Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year. Kieren said on receiving his award “I’m over the moon for winning this award, I want to say thank you very much to PMG. It is really good to see how as apprentices our hard work and efforts are being noticed by external people outside of our companies which brings us a lot of confidence that we are on the right track, doing the right thing especially with our mentors and supporters.”

Lee Crocker, Managing Director and Chair of the Board at Kawasaki Precision Machinery and Chair of Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group said: “In manufacturing, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching apprentices grow — not just in skill, but in confidence. Our PMG Apprentice Awards are one of the ways we show them how much their hard work matters, and how committed we are to supporting their journey. Plymouth is proudly one of the UK’s top ten cities for the concentration of manufacturing employment, and our sector contributes a higher than UK average percentage to the local economy. This means our apprentices aren’t just gaining experience, they have a critical role in helping to shape a strong future for our city.

The career opportunities in manufacturing and engineering are exciting, diverse, and full of possibility. The apprentices of today, will be increasingly working with cutting‑edge technologies in AI, robotics and automation, or even exploring how to harness renewable energy and support a circular greener economy, all of which is driving our world forward. We are genuinely proud to have such brilliant talent within the PMG family. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners — we can’t wait to see where your bright futures take you.”

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Full listing of apprentices recognised at the Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026

Building Plymouth Apprentices 2026

Trade apprentices:

Winner – The Ron Simmonds Trade of Apprentice of the Year 2026

• Connor Byrne with Larc Construction Ltd and Skills Group Ltd undertaking Groundworker Apprenticeship Level 2

Highly Commended – The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year 2026

• Jude King, with Upward Loft Solutions and Skills Group Ltd - undertaking a Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 2

• Scott Fearn with YGS Landscapes and City College Plymouth undertaking Landscaping and Horticulture Apprenticeship Level 2

• Tarun May with Plym Group Ltd and Greenlight Safety and Training undertaking Bricklaying Apprenticeship Level 3

Finalists – The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year 2025

• Aidan Watts with Adrian Stokes Property Developments and City College Plymouth undertaking a Craft Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship Level 3

• Cameron Perrin with  Michael Taylor Plymouth Limited and Skills Group Ltd undertaking a Groundworker Apprenticeship Level 2

• Matthew Williams with Lilburn and Elliot Construction Ltd and Skills Group Ltd undertaking a Plasterer Apprenticeship Level 2

• Samuel Young with ME Contracting Ltd and The Focus Training Group undertaking an Installation and Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship Level 3

• Bradley Laing with Hallwell Projects Ltd and Skills Group Ltd undertaking a Craft Bricklayer Apprenticeship Level 3

• Finn Holmes with Cedar Tor Limited and City College Plymouth undertaking a Plasterer Apprenticeship Level 2

• Alfie Cruse with Hallwell Projects Ltd and Skills Group Ltd undertaking a  Bricklaying Apprenticeship Level 3

• George Bull with Progressive Systems Ltd and Greenlight Safety and Training undertaking a     Roofing and Cladding Apprenticeship Level 2

  
  

 Technical apprentices:

Winner – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2026

• Ellie Doddridge with Classic Builders and City College Plymouth in partnership with University of Plymouth undertaking Quantity Surveying Technician and Construction Site Supervision Apprenticeship Level 4

Highly Commended – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2026

• Edward Grimshaw with Willmott Dixon and University of the West of England undertaking Management Apprenticeship Level 6

• Sean Richards with Hoare Lea and University of the West of England undertaking Building Services Design Engineer Apprenticeship Level 6

Finalists – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2026

• Thomas Hunt with Bell Group Ltd and City College Plymouth undertaking a Construction Quantity Surveyor Apprenticeship Level 4

• Dennis Hill with Shared Apprenticeships in partnership with Morgan Sindall and UCEM undertaking a Construction Site Supervisor Apprenticeship Level 4

• George Kelly with Services Design Solution (SDS) and University of the West of England undertaking a Building Services Engineering Apprenticeship Level 6

• Louie Smith with Expedite Building Services Ltd and Exeter College undertaking a Building Services Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Level 4

• Tom Walshe with Total Repair Service Ltd and City College Plymouth undertaking a Construction Quantity Surveyor Apprenticeship Level 4

• Blake Green with Atkins Realis and Jace Training undertaking a Surveying Technician Apprenticeship Level 3

• Joe Bracewell with Willmott Dixon and University of the West of England undertaking a Quantity Surveyor and Commercial Management Apprenticeship Level 6

Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group Apprentices 2026

PMG Rising Star Business Apprentice of the Year Winner:

• Michael Bailey from The Cornwall Bakery – Samworth Brothers, undertaking a Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship with Instep UK

  
  

 PMG Rising Star Business Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended Runner Up:

• Leon Cook, from Rittal CSM, a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician training with Cornwall College.  

PMG Rising Star Business Apprentice of the Year Finalist:

• Ayesha Conteh, a Level 3 Engineering Design and Draughtsperson Apprentice at Babcock and training with City College Plymouth.

  
  

PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Winner

• Marcel Dybek from Alstom who is an Industrial Engineering Apprentice training with Alstom and Aston University.

PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended Runners Up

• Charlie Horswell from BD, a Level 3 Mechatronics Apprentice Production Technician training with Cornwall College.

• Joseph Odin-Earnshaw from Princess Yachts, a Level 3 Marine Engineering Apprentice with City College Plymouth

PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Finalists

• Adam Foster from BD, a Level 3 Engineering (Mechatronics) Technician Apprentice with Cornwall College.

• Bailey Fribbens from Plessey, a Level 4 Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician, Cornwall College.

• Bertram Millard from Princess Yachts, a Level 3 Marine Engineering Apprentice with City College.

• Jack Fuery from Karsal Manufacturing, a Level 2 Window and Door Fabrication Apprentice training with GFTS.

• Katie Dilloway from Babcock, a Level 3 NDT Apprentice training with Lavenders international.

• Matthew Ivo Paras from Sotek Engineering, a Machine Technician Apprentice with South Devon College.

• Owen Stoneman from Rittal CSM, a Level 3 Model Shop Apprentice, training with City College Plymouth.

• Renee Breen from Babcock, a Level 4 Naval Architect Apprentice training with City College Plymouth.

• Ross Duffy from Composite Integration, a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprentice with Cornwall College.

• Ryan Minhinick from Karsal Manufacturing, a Level 2 Apprentice PVCu Window and Door Fabricator.

• Sophia King from Collins Aerospace, a Level 4 Operations Engineering Apprentice with Cornwall College.

• Tyler Prynn from Collins Aerospace, a Level 4 Operations Engineering Apprentice with Cornwall College.

PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year Joint Winners:

• Isabelle Land from Babcock, a Higher Level Business  - Commercial Apprentice with City College Plymouth.

• Robert Parker from Babcock, also a Higher Level Business - Commercial Apprentice with City College Plymouth 

PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year Winner:

• Kieren O’Donnell from Alstom, a Level 6 Industrial Engineering Apprentice with Aston University

PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended Runner Up:

• Ethan Jones from BD, an Apprentice Moulding Technician, training with Cornwall College.

PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year Commended:

• Lewis Wadlan from Rittal - CSM, a Level 2 Apprentice Welder, training with City College Plymouth.

PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year Finalists:

• Adam Baker from Babcock, a Level 3 NDT Apprentice training with Lavenders international 

• Dylan Gorrin from Sotek Engineering, a Machining Technician training with South Devon College

• Nicholas Bevan from Plessey, a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprentice training with City College Plymouth.

• Summer Walker from Mars Wrigley, a Level 3 Food and Drink Technical Operator training with Bridgewater and Taunton college 

• Tom Sharpe from Babcock, a Level 3 Maritime Defence – Mechanical Fitter Apprentice training with City College Plymouth

• William Burgess from Rail Signalling and Power, a Level 3 Installation Engineer Apprentice training with City College Plymouth