'The judging process was meticulous' - Finalists revealed for Black Country Apprenticeship Awards 2026

The finalists for this year’s Black Country Apprenticeship Awards have been announced.

Now in their fifth year, the awards celebrate the best young talent across the region - with finalists shortlisted in 14 different award categories.

The awards, in association with headline sponsor Safran Electronics & Defense, supporting partner Ladder for the Black Country and the Express & Star, aim to shine a spotlight on hardworking individuals and organisations involved in apprenticeships across the region.

As well as commending individuals who are excelling in their chosen apprenticeship programmes, the awards recognise the training providers, mentors and companies who are creating the best opportunities for apprentices across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

John England, general manager at Safran in Wolverhampton - the headline sponsor, said the company, a key employer in Wolverhampton, is “committed to championing apprenticeships and creating opportunities for local young people to build rewarding, high-value careers” - adding: “

The Black Country has a rich manufacturing and engineering heritage, and we want to continue to play our part in ensuring that remains for generations to come.

“In Wolverhampton, that means investing in people, their skills and maintaining strong community ties, and to be their employer of choice. Apprenticeships are fundamental to that ambition, bringing new talent and fresh ideas into our business and helping develop the engineers, technicians and industry leaders of the future.

“I’m proud that Safran is the headline sponsor of the Ladder for the Black Country Apprenticeship Awards, celebrating these young apprentices, their employers and the dedicated training providers who develop the skills and talent that will shape the region for years to come.”

Kevin Davis, chairman of the Ladder Apprenticeship Foundation, congratulated all of the finalists and said: “Having championed apprenticeships through the Ladder initiative since its inception in 2014, I continue to be inspired by the extraordinary talent, commitment and achievements of apprentices across our region.

“These awards celebrate not only the dedication and achievements of individual apprentices, but also the vital contribution of employers, training providers, colleges, universities and mentors who invest in developing our future workforce.”

Express & Star editor-in-chief Martin Wright said: “Our panel of judges, comprising industry experts, diligently reviewed every nomination to determine this year’s finalists and eventual winners.

“The judging process was meticulous, reflecting the high calibre of submissions received across the region.“

The winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony at Park Hall Hotel and Spa, Wolverhampton, on Thursday November 19.

The event, hosted by radio presenter Dicky Dodd, will kick off from 6.45pm with a welcome drink, sponsored by the hotel, ahead of a celebratory evening of networking, dinner and award presentations.

The awards are kindly sponsored by Safran Electronics & Defense, Doocey Group, Sandwell College, City of Wolverhampton College, Dudley College, Halesowen College, and PTP Training Ltd; with support from Ladder for the Black Country, the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, and Total Fleet Support (reception sponsor) and Park Hall Hotel and Spa (welcome drinks sponsor).

For more information and to book tickets for the event go to bcapprenticeshipawards.co.uk

Full list of finalists:

Intermediate Apprentice

Broden Welch, AH Electrical and Building, Training Provider - South Staffordshire College

Daniel Allford, City of Wolverhampton Council Training Provider - The Opportunity Provider

Claudia Omoruyi, Mahirs Experience, Training Provider - HIT Training

Nafeesah Khan, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Access Training

Chloe Skeldon , Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Performance Through People

Ellis Anderson, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Juniper Training

Eshan Clarke, Sandwell Council, Multiple training partners

Mya Gill, Sandwell Council, Juniper Training

Gurdip Gill, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Juniper Training

Belinda Brady, WMAS, Training Provider - Performance Through People

Advanced Apprentice

Benjamin Maynard, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Dudley College

Darcey Mansell, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Sandwell College

Ethan Court, Doocey Group, Training Provider - GTG

Jack Bates, West Midlands Pension Fund, Training Provider - MBKB Ltd

Julie Langford, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Access Training

Kelly Smith, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Dudley College

Shawn "Seb" Mokgatla, Powered by CAN, Training Provider - RM Training (UK)

Higher Apprentice

Chelsea Simpson, Respication, Training Provider - PTP Training Ltd

Daniel Davey, Vinci Construction, Training Provider - Dudley College of Technology

Jabir Ridhwan, Doocey Group, Training Provider - BPP (Online)

Laura Guest, Nova Training, Training Provider - Nova Training

Maya Kainth, City of Wolverhampton Council, Training Provider - QA Apprenticeships

Tia Faulkner, City of Wolverhampton Council, Training Provider - Damar Training

Victoria Bennet, Hyland Support Services Ltd, Training Provider - PTP

Degree Apprentice

Caleb Alabi, Mondelēz International, Training Provider - Aston University

Charlie Banner, Doocey Group, Training Provider - Sandwell College

Debbie Crosk, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - JGA Limited

Jude Aston, City of Wolverhampton Council, Training Provider - QA Apprenticeships

Tsezzy Omar, E.ON, Training Provider - Nottingham Trent University

Construction Apprentice, sponsored by Sandwell Council

Emily Cooper, Black Country Transport, Training Provider - Aston University

Jack Sawbridge, Doocey Group, Training Provider - Sandwell College

James Cowan, SPV Special Projects Limited, Training Provider - Juniper Training

Engineering/Manufacturing Apprentice, sponsored by City of Wolverhampton College

Andre Blighton, D K Welding Ltd, Training Provider - Performance Through People

Efaz Mohammed, Lonestar Fasteners Hydrobolt Ltd, Training Provider - City of Wolverhampton College

Elise Stocking, Black Country Transport, Training Provider - Wolverhampton University

Jessica Stote, Alucast, Training Provider - Dudley College of Technology

Kai Roberts, National Plant Solutions Ltd, Training Provider - NSCG

Patric Hickman, Black Country Transport, Training Provider - Wolverhampton University

Patrik Ward, Pressure Systems Ltd, Training Provider - Performance Through People

Reuben Brickwood, Safran, Training Provider - In-Comm Training Services

William Day, Safran, Training Provider - In-Comm Training Services

Health and Public Service Apprentice

Chloe Ashford, City of Wolverhampton Council, Training Provider - University of Wolverhampton

Millie Coldicott, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Training Provider - Dudley College of Technology

Professional Services Apprentice

Alex Kelly, Marston's PLC, Training Provider - Crosby Management Training Ltd

Callum Jakhu, City of Wolverhampton Council, Training Provider - MBKB Ltd

Daniel Cashmore, Daniel-Scott Recruitment, Training Provider - Juniper training

Martha Darby, West Midlands Pension Fund, Training Provider - MBKB Ltd

Sarah Grigg, Walsall Council, Training Provider - Crosby Training

Technology and Digital Apprentice, sponsored by Doocey Group

Gurjot Kaur, School of Coding & AI, Training Provider - Aston University

Jack Washbrook, Sandwell MBC, Training Provider - QA

Luke Millar, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - QA

Natalie Samuda-Robinson, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - QA

Natasha Parbhakar, School of Coding & AI, Training Provider - Aston University

SME Employer, sponsored by Dudley College

Bentley Childcare

European Heathyards

Integra Supported Housing Walsall Ltd

Jubilee Court Care Home

Maple Tree Nursery

Performance Through People

Large Employer, sponsored by Halesowen College

City of Wolverhampton Council

Doocey Group

Housing 21

Lonestar Fasteners Hydrobolt Ltd

Marston's PLC

Sandwell Council

Apprentice Ambassador - sponsored by Safran

Laura Turton, Doocey Group, Multiple training partners

Luke Joyce-Jones, Wolseley, Training Provider - Lifetime

Rebecca Noble, A&M EDM, Training Provider - Dudley College of Technology

Suzanne Allen, Sandwell Council, Training Provider - Non applicable

Mentor

Corey Allen-Manning, Powered by CAN, Training Provider - RM Training (UK)

Kate Wardle, Performance Through People, Training Provider - Performance Through People

Lee Willdig, Doocey Group

Mick Talbot, A&M EDM, Training Provider - Dudley College of Technology

Parmjit Sidhu, Sandwell Council

Rich Nettleton, Sandwell Council

Sophie Male, Halesowen College, Training Provider - Halesowen College

Training Provider / Programme- sponsored by Safran

Juniper Training

Performance Through People

Purple Cow Training Ltd

Swift Childcare ACI

The Opportunity Provider

Walsall Business Support Grant Programme