Representing North Devon College on the night was Head of Engineering & Motor Vehicle, Jackie Theakston-Thomas, who had the honour of presenting the award to this year’s winner.

Speaking after the event, Jackie said “It was a privilege to present the Apprenticeship Award and to see so many talented individuals being recognised for their hard work and contribution to North Devon’s manufacturing industry. Apprenticeships are a vital pathway into skilled careers, and we’re incredibly proud to support initiatives that celebrate and encourage that success.”

North Devon College would like to thank the NDMA for their kind invitation and for hosting another inspiring evening that highlights the strength and innovation of our local industry.

A huge congratulations to this year’s winner and all of the nominees, your achievements showcase the bright future of North Devon’s manufacturing and engineering community.

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In particular, enrolments on Level 1 courses are at an all-time high, with learners eager to take their first steps toward careers in construction. To ensure every student can learn comfortably and safely, North Devon College has expanded and adapted its facilities, with new and refurbished workshop spaces across the campus. Purpose-built areas now provide the tools, equipment, and supportive environment needed to accommodate the surge in learners.

The construction department has also introduced streamlined timetables, ensuring a smooth flow to the learning day without unnecessary gaps. This new structure keeps students focused and engaged, while creating clear progression routes from Level 1 through to Level 3, with direct pathways into apprenticeships and employment.

“Our facilities are fantastic, and our expectations for both learners and staff are aspirational,” said Tony Griffin, Head of Construction. “We’ve invested in new resources and created an environment where students can thrive, whether they’re just starting out or preparing to enter the workforce.”

This year’s growth in construction enrolment is more than just numbers—it’s a powerful sign of North Devon College’s commitment to inclusive, career-focused education. With more learners than ever choosing construction, the future looks bright for both students and the local industry.

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We’re thrilled to share that we’ve not only hit our target of��100 apprenticeship vacancy pledges—we’ve surpassed it, reaching��102 in just 24 days!��With��76 days still to go, we’re now aiming to��double this number��and create even more fantastic opportunities for aspiring apprentices.

A huge��thank you��to all the amazing employers who have pledged so far. Your support couldn’t have come at a better time, as we already have eager applicants looking for the right employer to kickstart their careers.

“This is a fantastic milestone, but we’re not stopping here! With more time left, we want to go even bigger and better. If you’re an employer who can offer an apprenticeship, now is the perfect time to get involved.” – Julie Yates, Head Of Business Engagement.

If you’d like to join us and make a real difference, please��get in touch—let’s keep this momentum going!

business@petroc.ac.uk

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The campaign kicked off with an online launch, accompanied by a breakfast event designed to engage prospective employers. Taking place at North Devon College, the event featured insightful talks from Ken Miles, CEO of North Devon Council, and Paul Coles, CEO of the South West Business Council, who discussed the role of devolution in regional business growth. Their presentations were followed by a Q&A session, offering employers the chance to explore how apprenticeships could benefit their organisations.

Following the discussions, employers pledged their apprenticeship places, reinforcing their commitment to fostering local talent and strengthening the workforce of the future with the official count coming in at 85/100 pledges on day one of the campaign!

North Devon College is encouraging businesses of all sizes to get involved and be part of this transformative initiative. For more information or to pledge an apprenticeship, contact business@petroc.ac.uk.

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Throughout the week, North Devon College will be sharing exclusive insights from employers on what they look for when hiring and how apprenticeships help shape the future of their businesses. Later in the week, the spotlight will shift to T Level student success stories, showcasing how students are gaining real-world experience and excelling in their chosen industries.

The celebrations will culminate with coverage of the North Devon College Apprenticeship & T Level Awards, where outstanding students and business partners will be recognised for their contributions to apprenticeship and T Level excellence.

Follow North Devon College’s social media channels throughout the week for inspiring stories, employer interviews, and coverage of the awards ceremony.

Businesses interested in pledging an apprentice as part of the ‘100 Apprentices in 100 Days’ campaign can contact business@petroc.ac.uk to find out more.

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The annual North Devon College Apprenticeship & T Level Awards ceremony once again took place at The Taw Restaurant on the Barnstaple Campus on Thursday, 6 February 2025, celebrating the outstanding achievements of apprentices, T Level students and their dedicated employers.

��The event recognised the hard work and commitment of those who made significant contributions to the North Devon College apprenticeship program in 2024 into 2025. The ceremony brought together students, industry professionals and educational leaders to acknowledge the skills, dedication and innovation demonstrated by apprentices and T Level learners.

��The North Devon College Apprenticeship & T Level Awards featured categories highlighting excellence in various areas, from apprentice of the year to both large and small business of the year and many more.

The awards ceremony also included an incredible celebratory lunch, prepared and served by Hospitality and Catering students followed by an opportunity for networking and appreciation of the invaluable role apprentices and employers play in strengthening the local workforce.

��Reflecting on the awards ceremony and looking forward, Interim Principal, Kurt Hintz, said “The awards ceremony was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, T Level students and the support of our employer partners. Apprenticeships and T Levels are crucial for equipping young people in the region with the skills needed for successful careers, and we are proud to celebrate their hard work. This was a great opportunity to showcase apprenticeships leading into National Apprenticeship Week beginning on the 10th of February where we will be launching our “100 Apprenticeships In 100 Days” initiative at our employer breakfast event. This aims to turbo charge the volume of apprenticeships offered in the region so that many more young people can access this vital training route in coming months”.

��As one of the key events in North Devon College’s academic calendar, this ceremony not only celebrated individual success but also reinforced our college’s commitment to vocational education and industry collaboration.

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The campaign seeks to secure commitments from local employers to provide 100 apprenticeship placements in just 100 days, an initiative designed to tackle skills gaps, support young talent, and strengthen the local economy. By offering opportunities, businesses can nurture fresh talent while contributing to the future prosperity of North Devon.

As a champion of apprenticeship programmes, we’re calling on companies of all sizes to take part. This is an incredible chance for businesses to invest in their future workforce while giving students the skills and experience they need to succeed. As the February 11 launch date approaches, businesses are encouraged to register their interest and learn more about the benefits of apprenticeships using the link below.

100 Apprentices in 100 Days

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Zeb impressed judges with his exceptional talent, dedication, and professionalism, demonstrating why he stands out as one of the brightest emerging talents in the plumbing industry. Competing against the best, he displayed mastery of advanced techniques and a commitment to excellence, earning well-deserved recognition for his hard work.

This victory not only highlights Zeb’s individual achievements but also underscores the quality of training and support provided at North Devon College. As he continues his journey in the trade, Zeb’s success serves as an inspiration to fellow students pursuing their own aspirations in skilled professions.

Congratulations to Zeb Champion for this remarkable accomplishment!

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With this impressive rise in admissions, students are clearly eager to learn key skills such as carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing and electrical. The surge comes at a crucial time for North Devon, where demand for skilled construction professionals is rising, driven by exciting new housing and infrastructure projects across the area.

While the increase in student numbers is a positive development, North Devon College is now focusing on finding new local employers to help these students gain the practical experience they need through apprenticeships. The college recognises that hands-on experience is a vital part of their student’s journey, and they are optimistic that the local business community will step up to provide the necessary support. With such a high demand for skilled labour, apprenticeships present an excellent opportunity for companies to train the next generation of professionals while benefiting from their enthusiasm and fresh ideas.

In light of this, we are inviting any local employers in the region to reach out to us, and we encourage you to consider taking on an apprentice. By offering apprenticeships, businesses can play a vital role in developing local talent and securing a strong workforce for the future.

Employers interested in supporting these students are invited to contact us to explore how they can be part of this positive movement. Please contact our��Business Engagement Team on��01271 852407 or by emailing��business@petroc.ac.uk. You can also find out more on the apprenticeship page of our website.

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The Awards Lunch, held at The Taw Restaurant at the North Devon Campus, brought together industry leaders, educators, apprentices, and employers to honour the exceptional talent and dedication demonstrated throughout the year. Attendees were treated to a buffet and music from performing arts students, while enjoying networking opportunities and inspiring speeches. Among the highlights of the event were the recognition of exceptional apprentices across various disciplines, including engineering and healthcare. Awards were presented to apprentices who demonstrated outstanding performance, dedication, and innovation in their respective fields.

North Devon Colleges also took the opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable support and commitment of employers who have provided apprenticeship opportunities and played a crucial role in nurturing talent within their industries. These awards celebrated employers who have shown a dedication to the professional development and success of their apprentices.

Furthermore, the event served as a platform to commend the hard work and dedication of North Devon College staff members who have played a pivotal role in delivering high-quality apprenticeship training and support services.

Commenting on the success of the event, Julie Yates, Head of Employer Engagement said: “What a marvellous afternoon we’ve had bringing all of our highly commended employers, apprentices and staff together to celebrate such success, well done to all of this year’s winners”.��

Chris Rendle, second-year apprentice with Parker Hannifin, and Apprentice Of The Year Winner, added: “Winning this award today is a great honour, I’ve been recognised for my hard work, my dedication to quality and my technical ability. I’ve picked up a lot of those skills from my role models both in the workplace and at college which has been really enjoyable to learn from”.��

Pete Leaver, Director at David Wilson Partnership, accepting the award for contributions to T Levels, said: “It’s been really good working with North Devon College over the past couple of years, we have taken on a couple of T Level students, one of whom recently completed their placement hours and is now working for us. T Levels seem like a very good introduction into the world of work for 16- and 17-year-olds and we’re happy to support the work that North Devon College are doing”.

North Devon College’s annual apprenticeship awards exemplify our commitment to recognizing and celebrating excellence in apprenticeships and T Levels while fostering collaboration and innovation within local industry.

For more information about North Devon College’s apprenticeship programs, please visit www.petroc.ac.uk/apprenticeships

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