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 2025.
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 manufacturing employers and training providers, with the awards recognising sixty talented finalist and winning 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 2025 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 manufacturing and engineering. This important week and our Awards today, 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.”
During the celebration, Oliver Preston was presented the highly respected Ron Simmonds Construction Trade Apprentice of the Year 2025 Award which recognised his successful Formwork Apprenticeship Level 2 with Kier BAM JV (Joint Venture) working at Devonport Dockyard with Greenlight Training. Oliver said: “I never expected to come out as a winner of this award! Things were a bit challenging at the beginning of my apprenticeship but both Kier BAM JV and Greenlight worked hard for me to make sure I was able to continue on my chosen career. I really think that apprenticeships are great - the flexibility is what has allowed me to continue with formworks which I love! Doing an apprenticeship has really helped my confidence and this will help my career going forward."
Next up, Kiya Cooke-Smith was awarded the prestigious Building Plymouth Technical Construction Apprentice of the Year 2025 Award. Employed by Hydrock now Stantec with the University of Exeter, Kiya is undertaking a Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship Level 6. On receiving the award Kiya said: “It was so exciting to have won this top technical award. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me on this apprenticeship journey. I would always recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone, it has really opened so many opportunities for me and has been a great start to my career as a structural engineer. The things that I enjoy most are being a woman working in STEM and being able to inspire the next generation of girls coming into the industry. Hydrock now Stantec are a fantastic employer and allow me to make the most of all the opportunities that come my way."
Presenting the construction apprentice awards as Building Plymouth’s Chair, David Bayliss, Regional Director at Stride Treglown said: “The 2025 Apprentice of the Year Awards are certainly a highlight event during Building Plymouth’s 10th year anniversary, 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 2025 were once again sponsored by Make UK, of which Jim Davison, Make UK’s National Membership Director was on the judging panel and presented the awards to the winners and finalists. Jim commented, “This year, our task as judges was particularly difficult such was the outstanding level of nominations received. The dedication that these apprentices have towards their apprenticeships, their companies and their colleagues, is hugely reassuring for the continued growth and development of the UK’s dynamic manufacturing industry. While we especially congratulate the winners, we must applaud all the finalists for their hard work and passion for our sector which is why, I am delighted 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.
Daniel Piaskowski, who is an Apprentice Engineer at Cornwall Bakery - Samworth Brothers and training with Cornwall College is the Final Year Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year 2025. Daniel said on receiving his award that he was both “surprised and excited to win” while Daniel’s colleagues, Alan Beal and Mike Barrington who attended the event to support their nominee commented that “based on the incredible hard work that they had observed from Daniel during his apprenticeship, to be recognised as a winner was hugely well deserved.”
The Award Winner for the Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year was Kieren O’Donnell from Alstom who is an Industrial Engineering Apprentice training with Aston University. Kieren commented that he felt “almost speechless and truly honoured to win the award”. Kieren’s supervisor, Dave Gale, Lead Engineer at Alstom said “I am thrilled for Kieren to have won this award. It is a well-deserved accolade, and a reflection of the sheer amount of hard work and dedication he has put in over the last year at Alstom and at Aston University. It is great to see so many talented apprentices in the Plymouth area, and I think this is a good reflection of the high standards set by manufacturing companies in our locality. Thank you to PMG for bringing this event together to celebrate the fabulous talent we have in Plymouth.”
Lee Crocker, Managing Director and Chair of the Board at Kawasaki Precision Machinery and Chair of Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group said of the winners and finalists: “We employ apprentices at Kawasaki so I believe I can speak on behalf of my fellow members when I say that we all feel tremendous pride when we see our apprentices grow, not just in their abilities but also in their confidence. These awards are a way to show them that we recognise their endeavours in our companies and that we are, in turn, also committed to them.
Plymouth is one of the UK’s Top Ten Cities with the largest concentration of manufacturing employment and our sector contributes a higher than average percentage to Plymouth’s economy – which means our apprentices, are also critical to the economic growth and future success of our city and local area. It is a particularly exciting time to be in manufacturing, with opportunities to be involved in the adoption of a variety of new technologies whether that’s in AI, automation or renewable energy, as just a few examples. We are delighted and encouraged that we have such talent as part of our PMG family. We congratulate all finalists and winners and look forward to watching their bright futures develop further.”
Hot on the heels of presenting the Apprentice of the Year Awards, Building Plymouth and Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group are hosting an Early Careers Fair this Saturday, 15 February, 10am to 2pm at Home Park for local people seeking apprenticeships, graduate opportunities and jobs in construction and manufacturing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full listing of apprentices recognised at the Apprentice of the Year Awards 2025
At the awards ceremony, these 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.
Building Plymouth Apprentices 2025
Winner – The Ron Simmonds Trade of Apprentice of the Year 2025
Oliver Preston, with Kier BAM JV (Joint Venture) and Greenlight Training undertaking a Formworks Apprenticeship Level 2
Highly Commended – The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year 2025
Bradlee Rodriguez-Martinez-Medway, with LTC Specialist Scaffolding Ltd and CITB for Scaffolding undertaking a Scaffolder Apprenticeship Level 2
Luke Kendall, with Plymstock Security Systems Ltd and The Focus Training Group undertaking a Fire Emergency and Security Technician Apprenticeship Level 3.
Abigail Durrell, with Eliza Tay Lady Decorators and City College Plymouth undertaking a Painter and Decorator Apprenticeship Level 2.
Finalists – The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year 2025
James Bamber with ME Contracting Ltd and The Focus Training Group undertaking Installation and Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship Level 3
Devon Basten with Banks Construction and Carpentry and Skills Group undertaking a Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 2
Giles Burchell with Shared Apprenticeships South West, hosted by BuildX SW and Greenlight Training undertaking a Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship Level 2
Calum Burley with Lorne Stewart PLC and The Focus Training Group undertaking a Gas Engineering Apprenticeship Level 3
Freddie Chapman with Plym Roofing and Greenlight Training undertaking a Roofing (Slate and Tile) Apprenticeship Level 2
Tyler Coombes with TEC Construction and Greenlight Training undertaking a Site Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 3
Natalie Fairley with Olympus Fitout and Skills Group undertaking a Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship Level 3
Thomas Filewod with Ardent Carpentry Ltd and Skills Group undertaking a Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship Level 3
Ryan Greene with Clegg and Shortman Asphalt Co Ltd and Greenlight Training undertaking a Roofing Apprenticeship (Waterproof Membranes Installer) Level 2
Ewan Jakes with Mercury Construction Ltd and City College Plymouth undertaking a Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship Level 2
Caidan Jones with Phil Deare Carpentry and Skills Group undertaking a Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 3
Jude King with Upwood Loft Solutions and Skills Group undertaking a Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 2
Joseph Owen with Elm Building Services and Skills Group undertaking a Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 2
Kenzie Pearce with Lynchpin Refurbishment Ltd and Greenlight Training undertaking a Plastering Apprenticeship Level 2
Max Rooke with Holmes Plumbing and Heating and City College Plymouth undertaking a Plumbing and Domestic Heating Apprenticeship Level 3
Ben Rooney with Andy Parkinson Bricklaying and Skills Group undertaking a Bricklaying Apprenticeship Level 3
Codie Smith with Fred Champion Groundworks Ltd and Greenlight Training undertaking a Groundworks Apprenticeship Level 2
Matthew Squires with Andrew Mudge and Skills Group undertaking a Plastering Apprenticeship Level 3
Ronnie Steffens with Hallwall and Skills Group undertaking a Bricklaying Apprenticeship Level 3
Preston Stevens with D W Brickwork and Skills Group undertaking a Bricklaying Apprenticeship Level 2
Bailey Tribble with Phil Deare Carpentry and Skills Group undertaking aCarpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship Level 2
Oliver Wavish with Moorland Heating and The Focus Training Group undertaking a Gas Apprenticeship Level 3
Josh Williams with Dean Allwood Installations and Skills Group undertaking a Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 3
Alex Wilson with Energy Build Southwest Ltd and Greenlight Training undertaking a Site Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 2
Winner – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2025
Kiya Cooke - Smith with Hydrock now Stantec and The University of Exeter undertaking a Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship Level 6
Highly Commended – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2025
Luke Driver, with Vistry Group (Vistry, Cornwall Regional Office) and NHBC undertaking an HNC in Construction Apprenticeship Level 4
Jake Sutton with Shared Apprenticeships South West, hosted by BuildX(SW) with City College Plymouth, undertaking a Quantity Surveying Technician Apprenticeship Level 4
William Aspinall with Devon Contractors and Exeter College undertaking a Construction Support Technician Apprenticeship Level 3
Finalists – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2025
Louie Ellison with T Clarke and Exeter College undertaking a Building Services Apprenticeship Level 4
Owen Howells with King Welsh Chartered Surveyors and City College Plymouth undertaking a Quantity Surveying Technician Level 4
Fletcher Melhuish with Vistry Cornwall (Part of Vistry Group) and University College of Estate Management undertaking a Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship level 6
Leah Smale with Porteus Groundworks and Skills Group undertaking an Office Administrator Apprenticeship Level 3
Louie Smith with Expedite Building Services Ltd and Exeter College undertaking a Higher Apprenticeship BTEC Level 4
Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group Apprentices 2025
PMG Rising Star Business Apprentice of the Year Joint Winners:
Jennifer Jury from Babcock, and undertaking Higher Level Business Apprenticeship with City College Plymouth,
Katie Sohl from Babcock, and undertaking Higher Level Business Apprenticeship with City College Plymouth
PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Winner
Kieren O’Donnell from Alstom who is an Industrial Engineering Apprentice training with Alstom and Aston University.
PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended
Becca Harriss from Babcock, an Electrical Fitter Apprentice with City College Plymouth.
Sam Kitt from Collins Aerospace, an Operations Apprentice with City College Plymouth.
PMG Rising Star Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Finalists
Adam Foster from BD, an Apprentice Moulding Technician, training with Cornwall College.
Aiden Taylor from Princess Yachts, an Apprentice Carpenter/Boatbuilder training with City College Plymouth.
Charlie Horswell from BD, an Apprentice Technician training with Cornwall College.
Courtney Macmillan from Babcock, a Fabricator Apprentice training with City College Plymouth.
Marcel Dybeck from Alstom, an Industrial Engineering Apprentice training with Alstom and Aston University.
Sam Richards – Wilcox from Kawasaki, a Machine Setter/Operator training with City College Plymouth.
Tyler Hodges from Kawasaki, a Technical Support Technician Apprentice, training with Cornwall College.
PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year Winner:
Ryan Waterschoot from Rittal CSM, a Planner/ Production Controller training with City College Plymouth.
PMG Final Year Business Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended:
Leoni Massey-Clamp from Babcock and Higher Level Quality Assurance Apprentice training with Capella.
Tom Bennett, also from Babcock and a Higher Level Quality Assurance Apprentice training with Capella.
PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year Winner:
Daniel Piaskowski from The Cornwall Bakery – Samworth Brothers and Apprentice Engineer with Cornwall College.
PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year Highly Commended:
Ethan Jones from BD, an Apprentice Moulding Technician, training with Cornwall College.
Mark Pellow from Kawasaki Precision Machinery, a Production Engineer who trained with City College Plymouth
Phil Courtney from Babcock, a Health Physics Monitor, who trained with City College Plymouth.
PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice of the Year Finalists:
James Brown from Rittal-CSM, a Maintenance Engineer who trained with City College Plymouth
Jamie Cunningham from Babcock, a Mechanical Fitter who trained with City College Plymouth.
Thomas Fyfe from Princess Yachts , an Apprentice Composites Engineer training with South Devon College.
Tristan Paton from HQW Aerospace who trained as an Apprentice Maintenance Engineer with City College Plymouth
Comments