A stellar line-up of finalists has been revealed for the 2026 Shropshire Telford & Wrekin Apprenticeship Awards.
The event celebrates the brightest apprentices in the area, as well as recognising employers for their support of apprenticeship programmes.
Three Telford-based companies – Hoshizaki Europe, Housing Plus Group, and McPhillips - are shortlisted in the large employer category.
The medium sized employer finalists are ABC Day Nursery from Telford, iconsys of Telford, and Shingler Group from Myddle.
In the small employer category, the three finalists are AR Manley & Sons from Rodington, Priorslee Motor Services of Telford, and Ruby Vehicle Services at Pennerley.
Finalists in the individual categories come from all corners of the county. Categories include construction, health & social care, engineering & manufacturing, IT & digital industries, creative & media, and business legal & finance.
There are two new categories for 2026 – a ‘rising star’ award and a ‘mentor of the year’ prize.
In addition to the individual and employer categories, an overall star apprentice for both the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin areas will also be crowned on the night.
Tickets go on sale this week for the awards night, which includes a drinks reception and three-course meal. It will be held at the Mercure Telford Centre Hotel on the evening of October 8. For all the details, see stwaa.co.uk
The competition is backed by some of the county’s biggest and best names, led by headline sponsor Telford College, and supported by the Marches Careers Hub.
Other category sponsors include In-Comm Training Services, J&PR, Keele University, McPhillips, Pave Aways, iconsys, Purple Frog Systems, Shrewsbury College, ABP, and Housing Plus Group.
The media partner for the event is Shropshire Business Live TV, which will be filming and streaming the awards presentations.
Carl Jones from Shropshire Business magazine, who will be compering the event, said: “We had a record number of entries again this year, and the quality and volume of entries surpassed all expectations.
“The judges said they faced a very difficult task narrowing down each category to just three finalists – and it will be even harder choosing the winners.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the response to the awards in this third year, and are now really looking forward to another fantastic awards evening.
“It’s going to be a fabulous celebration of the brightest and best apprentices in the county, as well as the businesses which go the extra mile to support the next generation of skilled staff.”
The finalists, their employers, and training providers
BUSINESS, LEGAL & FINANCE, sponsored by SBLTV
Dan Cadman RBSL / Arden University
Ellie Pjetri Bridgnorth Aluminium / BPP Professional Education
Holly Plant South Hermitage Surgery / SBC Training
CONSTRUCTION, sponsored by Housing Plus Group
Michael Cardwell CQS Solutions / Wrexham University
Drayton Gasson Fowler & Gilbert / Shrewsbury College
Jack Henderson Colas / Telford College
CREATIVE AND MEDIA, sponsored by J&PR
Ffion Gerrard The Movement Centre / SBC Training
Shay Hanlon Studio 3 Architecture / Shrewsbury College
Ella Preece Shropshire Chamber / SBC Training
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE, sponsored by Keele University
Jake Burnett Housing Plus Group / Paragon Skills
Rebecca Jones Condover College / SBC Training
Sophie Woodward Coverage Care / SBC Training
IT AND DIGITAL INDUSTRIES, sponsored by Purple Frog Systems
Ellie Hendley Telford College / Telford College
Luke Plimmer Start Tech / Baltic Apprenticeships
Marina Vanea Learning Community Trust / Baltic Apprenticeships
MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING, sponsored by In-Comm Training Services
Dewi Denoven ABP / MGTS
Henry Hunt RBSL / University of Warwick
Ruby Leung Hoshizaki Europe / Telford College
RISING STAR, sponsored by ABP
Madison Evans Housing Plus Group / Shrewsbury College
Melanie Massopust Newdale Primary School / Telford College
Amy Williams Dawley Medical Practice / Telford College
MENTOR OF THE YEAR, sponsored by iconsys
Paul Brooke Pave Aways
Ryan Donegani Housing Plus Group
Richard Vickers CQS Solutions
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR (SMALL), sponsored by McPhillips
AR Manley & Sons Rodington
Priorslee Motor Services Telford
Ruby Vehicle Services Pennerley
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM), sponsored by Pave Aways
ABC Day Nursery Telford
iconsys Telford
Shingler Group Myddle
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR (LARGE), sponsored by Shrewsbury College
Hoshizaki Europe Telford
Housing Plus Group Telford
McPhillips Telford
Pictured: The 2025 Shropshire Telford & Wrekin Apprenticeship Awards winners
