More than 200 guests gathered at Priestfield Stadium in Gillingham on Thursday evening for the inaugural Kent Apprenticeship Awards, recognising the apprentices, employers and mentors helping to shape Kent's future workforce.
Founded by East Kent Colleges Group, MidKent College and North Kent College, the awards were delivered by Kent-based agency Pillory Barn. The Awards brought together apprentices, employers, training providers, educators and business leaders from across Kent to recognise excellence in skills, training and career development.
The inaugural awards attracted an impressive 125 nominations from organisations and individuals spanning sectors including engineering, construction, healthcare, horticulture, education, digital industries and business services. Judges described the standard of entries as exceptionally high, reflecting the depth of talent, ambition and commitment being developed throughout the county.
Guests heard inspiring stories from individuals whose determination, resilience and achievements have transformed both their own careers and the organisations they work for. Winners came from a wide range of industries and backgrounds, highlighting the important role apprenticeships continue to play in creating opportunities, developing skills and supporting business growth.
One of the evening's most prestigious accolades was the Champion of the Year award, which was presented to KKB Group in recognition of its outstanding commitment to apprenticeships and workforce development.
The award celebrates an employer that has gone above and beyond in supporting apprentices, creating opportunities for progression and embedding apprenticeships at the heart of its business. Judges praised KKB Group for its dedication to nurturing talent and providing an environment in which apprentices can thrive, develop and build successful long-term careers.
Simon Cook, representing Kent's Further Education colleges, including East Kent Colleges Group, MidKent College and North Kent College, said:
"Across Kent and Medway we see every day the incredible talent, ambition and potential that apprentices bring to employers. The people recognised through these awards are not only achieving great things in their own careers, they are helping to demonstrate the value apprenticeships bring to businesses and communities across the county.
"Too many young people still struggle to find an employer willing to take them on, despite the demand for apprenticeship opportunities. Those recognised tonight have an important story to tell, and by sharing those stories we can encourage more employers to invest in the next generation of talent.
"I started my own career as an apprentice and I can still see today how those early experiences shaped my future. Apprenticeships provide an incredible foundation for success, opening doors, building confidence and creating opportunities that can last a lifetime."
James Brincat, of headline sponsor Kimberly-Clark, said:
"Every finalist and winner celebrated this evening represents the very best of what apprenticeships can achieve. Their stories demonstrate the resilience, ambition and commitment that apprentices bring to workplaces across Kent.
"Apprenticeships open doors that might otherwise remain closed, creating opportunities for people to build rewarding careers while helping employers develop the skilled workforce they need for the future.
"Tonight was a celebration not only of individual achievement, but of the employers, mentors and training providers who invest in people and help talent reach its full potential. When opportunity meets ambition, incredible things can happen."
The Kent Apprenticeship Awards were established to celebrate the achievements of apprentices, employers, mentors and training providers, while raising the profile of apprenticeships as a pathway to career success and business growth.
Organisers hope the awards will become a major annual celebration of apprenticeships and opportunity across the county, helping to inspire future apprentices and encouraging more employers to invest in skills, training and workforce development.
A full list of winners can be found at https://www.ka-awards.co.uk/insights/shaping-the-future-celebrating-the-winners-of-the-first-ever-kent-apprenticeship-awards/
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