City College Plymouth recognised the dedication and achievements of its apprentice and employer partners at the Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony held last night at Plymouth Argyle Football Club.
This special evening brought together apprentices, their families, College staff, employers and distinguished guests from the local business community to celebrate the success of the region’s future workforce.
Opening with a lively performance by Ruby and Meredith, a talented music duo from the College, Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth, then welcomed guests, acknowledging the hard work and resilience demonstrated by apprentices across a range of industries.
The evening served as a rousing celebration of the skills, dedication and value that our apprentice community brings to their workplaces, and as a strong reminder of the symbiotic relationship City College has with its employer partners.
The apprentice awards ceremony concluded with the presentation of three special awards, recognising apprentices who have made exceptional contributions to their workplaces and the College community.
The Chief Executive’s Award, presented by Jackie Grubb, was presented to Eve Smith, who was commended by Jackie for her focus and commitment during her Apprenticeship. Jackie praised Eve’s patience and pride in her work, describing it as “second to none” and saying that Eve had “consistently surpassed expectations in every area”.
The Students’ Union Award, presented by the College’s Student Council Chair, Liam Ashby, was awarded to Tilly Maddern for her strong work ethic, initiative, professionalism, and positive contribution to her team.
The Governors’ Award was presented to Oliver Thomas, who was singled out and commended by College Governor Chris Saxby for being “skilled, committed, generous with his knowledge, and consistently exceptional”.
Speaking during the event, Jackie Grubb said, “There’s nothing more rewarding than celebrating the successes of our wonderful apprentices, and I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work our students have put in over the last twelve months. The awards are one of my favourite events of the year, but choosing winners has been incredibly difficult because every apprentice has been outstanding in their own way. Each one of them has shown something special, and their resilience, dedication, and passion are a powerful reminder of what education and professional growth can achieve.”
City College Plymouth is proud of its Apprenticeship programmes and the strong relationships it has built with employers across Plymouth and the surrounding areas. These partnerships help the College deliver high-quality Apprenticeships that reflect real industry needs and support the local community. By working closely with a wide range of businesses, apprentices gain the practical skills, training, and hands-on experience they need to thrive in their careers.
