Apprenticeships Awards shine spotlight on rising stars and their employers

Hopwood Hall College shone the spotlight on up-and-coming talent as it held its annual Apprenticeships Awards.

Apprentices, employers and special guests gathered for the ceremony which took place at the Norton Grange Hotel and Spa in Castleton.

Throughout the evening a shortlist of finalists were celebrated as 11 awards were dished out to those individuals and businesses that had made the biggest impact.

The top prize went to 19-year-old Lily Chandler, who was named Apprentice of the Year 2026.

Lily, a Level 3 Engineering Fitter Apprentice at R&B Switchgear Group, was joined by her mum and grandmother for the big moment.

The three generations gathered on stage and heard how Lily had scooped the award for mastering complex engineering concepts and was considered a ‘future leader in the industry’.

In addition, a number of local and regional employers were praised for playing a vital role in nurturing talent and developing skills alongside Hopwood Hall.

‘SME of the Year’ went to Cara Brickwork, with Aarhus Fire Protection being named Highly Commended.

Salt Separation Services took home ‘Large Business of the Year’, with William Hare receiving Highly Commended.

Meanwhile, two new awards were introduced this year to recognise the transformative power of apprenticeships.

The first, presented by CEO of Co-operatives UK Rose Marley, was the Local Impact Award.

The winner was Albany Products, with Kellen Homes being honoured as Highly Commended.

The other addition, the Social Mobility Award, was presented by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh.

The inaugural winner was Kieran Riseborough, a Level 3 Engineering Apprentice withNormec Manchester Ltd.

Julia Heap OBE, Principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College, said: “This year we’ve seen apprentices go above and beyond – none more so than those celebrated at our Apprenticeships Awards!

“They’re not just learning the skills needed for long and fruitful careers, but proving to be an invaluable member of the team for their employers.

“We’re so proud to be able to play our part by equipping young people with the precise training that’s allowing them to thrive in workplaces across Rochdale and all of Greater Manchester.

“I wanted to extend another huge congratulations to all the incredible employers and apprentices that were shortlisted for awards.”

During the Apprenticeships Awards, which were hosted by BusinessCloud Executive Editor Chris Maguire, a total of £829 was raised for Springhill Hospice.All in all, Hopwood offers more than 30 apprenticeship pathways that align with both local and national skills priorities – ranging from Engineering Manufacturing Technical, to Project Manager.

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