Luton Apprenticeship Awards 2026

Thursday 12 Februrary 2026, Putteridge Bury

Celebrating achievement, inspiring growth

The Luton Apprenticeship Awards celebrates and recognises the achievements of apprentices, local employers, and training providers in our town.

Apprenticeships play a vital role in shaping the future workforce, providing individuals with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and build successful careers. They also enable businesses to nurture talent, drive innovation, and strengthen the local economy.

The 2025 inaugural Awards showcased the outstanding talent of apprentices providers and organisations across Luton. The Luton Apprenticeship Awards 2026 took place on Thursday, 12 February 2026, where we once again heard a great number of inspiring stories about all finalists and celebrated all of their achievements. Attendees included Susan Lousada, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire; Camilla King, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire; Rachel Hopkins MP; Dr Anna Morrison CBE; Cllr Amy Nicholls, Mayor of Luton; and Cllr Javeria Hussain, Portfolio Holder for Education, Employability and Skills.

We are delighted to announce that Capital Sky Ltd were our Headline Sponsors for the Luton Apprenticeship Awards 2026. The 2026 winners were as follows:

2026 Award Winners

On Thursday, 12 February 2026, the second Luton Apprenticeship Awards took place, celebrating the outstanding achievements of apprentices and employers across Luton.

There were 10 outstanding winners across different categories, with three highly commended individuals also celebrated.

The Apprentice of the Year is the top award of the evening, shining the spotlight on an exceptional apprentice who has demonstrated excellent performance, commitment and growth in their apprenticeship. The apprentice has made a lasting difference to their workplace. This award recognises the enthusiasm and outstanding achievement of an apprentice who has made a remarkable contribution to their work and learning during their apprenticeship.

About the sponsor:

At Leep, we believe everyone has more potential than they realise, and that businesses grow faster when they unlock the potential of their people. The world of work is competitive, fast-moving and often too focused on what looks good on paper. But real progress happens when we look beyond job titles and qualifications, and focus on the whole person: their skills, their strengths and their ambition.

That’s where we come in. 100% government-funded training that removes barriers and creates access for all. Employer-built programmes grounded in real workplace needs, not just qualifications. Cross-sector expertise spanning trades, technology, digital, HR, professional services and more. Holistic, people-first support that builds confidence, soft skills and long-term resilience. Your complete career lifecycle partner – covering the entire journey from unemployment to career advancement across multiple sectors

As small and medium businesses play a vital role in Luton’s economy, this award recognises a small to medium employer (with under 250 employees) that has created high-quality apprenticeship opportunities and provides outstanding support and care for their apprentices. It celebrates an employer that see apprenticeships as a chance to develop and nurture people, whilst strengthening their business and community ties.

About the sponsor:

Aegis Support Services is a leading provider of security services, resourcing, and facilities management services across the UK.

Large employers have the power to shape industries and create opportunities for all. This award celebrates large organisations (over 250 employees) who have built inclusive, inspiring, and strong apprenticeship programmes. It recognises those who invest in the community, open doors to meaningful, lasting careers, whilst making apprentices feel valued and supported.

About the sponsor:

Hannah Solicitors is a law firm with offices in Luton, Bedford, Rushden (Northants) and Solihull. It has dedicated teams specialising in conveyancing, criminal litigation, private client, immigration and employment law. The firm prides itself on its professional and compassionate approach and plays an active role in supporting local charitable events and causes. It demonstrates this commitment through the numerous work experience opportunities that it offers every year to students from local academia as well as recruiting staff from the local community into the business.

As apprenticeships are often the first step for some into the world for work, this award shines light on an exceptional apprentice aged 16-24 who has embraced this opportunity and thrived. The young apprentice shows drive, resilience, and dedication, bringing a fresh perspective into the workplace and proving that age is no barrier to making a lasting impact. The winner will be a role model for other young people also considering apprenticeships.

About the sponsor:

Barnfield College is passionate about nurturing talent and creating opportunities for local people to thrive. As part of the West Herts College Group, they deliver high-quality apprenticeships and vocational training that equip people with the skills employers need. Their commitment is to empower the next generation to achieve their ambitions and make a real impact in their chosen careers.

Sponsoring the Young Apprentice of the Year award reflects their belief in celebrating hard work, dedication, and the incredible potential of young apprentices across Luton.

Despite making incredible contributions in the fields, women remain under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. This award recognises a female apprentice who is excelling in their chosen STEM field, by breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and inspiring other women to follow in their footsteps and make their mark in the world of STEM. The winner will demonstrate talent, determination, and passion, showcasing that everyone is capable of achieving big things.

About the sponsor:

The Bedford College Group is the largest education provider in the Southeast Midlands, supporting over 20,000 learners annually and working with 2,400 employers to deliver skills that transform careers and communities. We offer further education, adult learning, apprenticeships, workforce training, and higher education across Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Bedford Borough and Northamptonshire.

In Central Bedfordshire, we provide a strong apprenticeship offer in construction, engineering, health and social care, business, and digital technologies, helping local employers meet critical skills needs.

One of the most rewarding career paths is supporting and nurturing the next generation, and so, this award honours an apprentice who makes a profound difference to children, young people and families. Whether in the classroom, a nursery, or support setting, this apprentice brings patience, kindness, and care in helping young people thrive. This apprentice embodies compassion and dedication in shaping our future generation.

Professional services such as finance, law, administration, and business support, are vital to Luton’s growth. This award honours an apprentice who demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and strong technical skills in these demanding fields. This individual exceeds expectations with showing initiative, and making a clear impact on their businesses, all whilst developing a strong foundation for their career.

Home to London Luton Airport and DART, it is no surprise that aviation and transport industries are at the core of what drives Luton’s economy. The apprentice honoured with this award will have excelled in aviation, travel, or transport services by contributing to safe, efficient and welcoming operations. The apprentice will representing both their organisation and Luton with pride and play a key part in the efficiency of the service.

About the sponsor:

Neville Special Projects is a main contractor, with a 150-year history, that focuses on commercial and public sector works, providing refurbishment, new build services, and maintenance for clients across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Northamptonshire, with a contract size in excess of £15m.

These vital industries build, make, and shape the town and world around us. This award celebrates an apprentice who has shown outstanding skill, determination and creativity in construction, manufacturing or engineering. It identifies an apprentice who combines technical ability with innovation, dedication and passion, and plays a key role in projects that drive growth and sustainability for our town.

About the sponsor:

Willmott Dixon is a privately-owned contracting and interior fit-out group. Founded in 1852, the company was ranked Europe’s 4th best place to work in the 2024 FT Best Employers guide and followed this by being declared the best big construction firm to work for in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work guide. They are dedicated to leaving a positive legacy and are one of only a few companies to have received Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in both and sustainability and promoting opportunity through social mobility. In 2023 and 2024 this continued with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity and Sustainable Development. Their goal is to become a net zero carbon company by 2030, with all buildings delivered after this date also being net zero. As the UK’s highest ranked contractor in the FT’s Diversity Leaders list between the years 2020 and 2025, they also aim to achieve gender parity across all levels of the workforce by 2030. They are passionate about their purpose: to deliver brilliant buildings, transform lives, strengthen communities and enhance the environment so our world is fit for future generations.

Healthcare apprentices play a key role in supporting patients, staff and services across our communities in Luton. This award recognises a healthcare apprentice that shows compassion, commitment and skill every day, whether working directly with patients or behind the scenes. This award celebrates the apprentice that demonstrates extraordinary dedication to caring for others as well as improving the quality of healthcare.

Public service and community organisations are built on dedication and care for others, and so requires a workforce with compassion, commitment and courage. The apprentice awarded this will work in emergency services, charities or voluntary group, and will be passionate about making a real difference to people’s lives. The winner will embody the true spirit of service and community impact.

Our 2026 award sponsors

Luton Apprenticeship Awards 2027

We are planning the Luton Apprenticeship Awards 2027! If you are interested in being a sponsor of the Awards or have any further questions please contact LBCApprenticeships@luton.gov.uk

Luton Apprenticeship Awards LinkedIn

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