Award Winners 2025
The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards celebrated its 22nd anniversary in 2025. The awards are designed to recognise and reward the achievements of exceptional apprentices and T Level students, skills champions and apprenticeship and T Level employers.
Apprenticeship and T Level employers, apprentices and T Level students and skills champions from all industries entered the awards – with over 1,100 entries received nationally from sectors including public sector, construction, health, IT, science and digital.
This year, the national ceremony took place on Wednesday 26th November 2025 at The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
You can find out more about the 2025 National Winners below:
Jagtara Singh Taak
The Lloyds Banking Group Rising Star of the Year Award
Jagtara started as an Administration Assistant and went on to drive the creation of Loch Law’s Solicitor Apprenticeship programme. He has gained invaluable experience working alongside experts on complex legal matters, and is proud to be part of the firm’s future growth. Inspired by the support he’s received himself, Jagtara is passionate about advocating encouraging others to see apprenticeships as rewarding pathways.
Anas Shiham Abdulwahid
The British Army Higher Apprentice of the Year Award
Throughout Anas’ apprenticeship he’s advanced from novice tester to recognised technical lead, designing automation frameworks and pioneering generative AI tools. He mentors apprentices, leads IBM’s early professional community, and hosts youth STEM sessions, and has proven that apprentices can drive transformation, innovation and lasting impact.
Ryan Skitt
The Gatsby T Level Student of the Year Award
Ryan has seized every opportunity his T Level offered. He has earned trust through high-quality work and fresh ideas, introducing Matterport which is now rolled out on important projects. Outside his placement he promotes T Levels, influencing peers and universities to explore new pathways. His journey has shaped his vision and inspired him to make a lasting mark on the built environment.
Bowmer and Kirkland
The Gatsby T Level Employer of the Year Award
Bowmer and Kirkland’s T Level programme builds on 102 years of commitment to nurturing construction talent. It helped address skills shortages and an ageing workforce, while dismantling industry stereotypes. It has also helped enhance diversity and foster career development for existing staff. Bowmer and Kirkland embraced T Levels early with College pilots and two placements, and have grown the programme to 182 placements – with plans to grow it even further.
Attwells Solicitors
The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award
Attwells Solicitors offer apprentices structured development plans, peer mentoring, and tailored wellbeing support, and are seeing real progression — including 100% retention to date. They are proud of the impact apprentices have, from boosting team performance to helping grow new offices. They have now fully replaced trainee solicitors with apprentices, and are passionate about nurturing diverse, committed talent.
Elyssa Marshall
The Amazon Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award
Elyssa loves feeling connected to her community, maintaining homes and supporting tenant welfare and she aspires to bring people the community, safety and care they deserve in her role. Her apprenticeship has offered invaluable skills and insights and she is hoping to build on it in the future, cultivating traditional woodworking, boat building, and thatching skills. In her free time she works supporting male/non-binary sexual violence survivors.
Katie House
The BAE Systems Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award
Katie has a real passion for apprenticeships. Having completed four herself she’s now an Apprenticeship Ambassador and part of a forum within Specsavers helping to shape the future for the younger generation. Continuing to develop her skills within the apprenticeship team, Katie is training to become a coach and hopes to bring a fresh approach to the team whilst still providing outstanding support.
Bagnalls
The Aptem Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Employer of the Year Award
Apprentices have been continually employed at Bagnalls for 148 years, and 38% of current colleagues – including three Directors – began their careers as apprentices. Apprenticeships are supporting Bagnalls’ vision of being the UK’s leading specialist painting contractor. They’ve invested in recruiting a more diverse workforce, and many newly recruited apprentices have won college and industry awards.
Bethany Taylor
NOCN Group Special Recognition Award 2025
Bethany has overcome significant barriers to build a successful career in the legal profession following the completion of her solicitor apprenticeship, demonstrating exceptional resilience and determination. Her journey has become a powerful source of inspiration for young people from lower socio-economic and care-experienced backgrounds. She has shown what is possible when talent is given a platform, becoming a role model who proves that opportunity can be equal and that your starting point does not define your future.
Specsavers
The QA Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award
Specsavers believe apprenticeships are key to building a future-ready workforce. They have developed over 2,600 apprentices since 2021, with 98% achieving distinctions. Apprentices have an impact on culture and talent pipeline and Specsavers proactively invest in inclusive, flexible, high-quality development. As a result they are reaping the benefits of a diverse, skilled workforce.
Kieren Buxton
The Royal Navy Degree Level Apprentice of the Year Award
Kieren’s apprenticeship gave him vital skills in leadership, AI, and software development, while balancing full-time work, study, and family life. He has led innovative projects improving apprenticeship completions, generating revenue, influencing policy, and raising brand profile. He’s supported, mentored and inspired new apprentices at the start of their journeys and has remained committed to making a difference.
Katy Dorman
The Royal Air Force Skills Champion of the Year Award
A former Level 7 apprentice, Katy currently leads ‘Apprenticeships Norfolk’ - an intermediary brokerage service delivering a strategic portfolio of innovative, high-impact initiatives like #MadeInNorfolk. She also co-chairs the National Apprenticeship Hub Network and actively seeks to shape and deliver national policy through a variety of voluntary roles. She is committed to delivering meaningful change.
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Award Winners 2025
The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards celebrated its 22nd anniversary in 2025. The awards are designed to recognise and reward the achievements of exceptional apprentices and T Level students, skills champions and apprenticeship and T Level employers.
Apprenticeship and T Level employers, apprentices and T Level students and skills champions from all industries entered the awards – with over 1,100 entries received nationally from sectors including public sector, construction, health, IT, science and digital.
This year, the national ceremony took place on Wednesday 26th November 2025 at The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
You can find out more about the 2025 National Winners below:
Your Winners
Jagtara Singh Taak
The Lloyds Banking Group Rising Star of the Year Award
Jagtara started as an Administration Assistant and went on to drive the creation of Loch Law’s Solicitor Apprenticeship programme. He has gained invaluable experience working alongside experts on complex legal matters, and is proud to be part of the firm’s future growth. Inspired by the support he’s received himself, Jagtara is passionate about advocating encouraging others to see apprenticeships as rewarding pathways.
Anas Shiham Abdulwahid
The British Army Higher Apprentice of the Year Award
Throughout Anas’ apprenticeship he’s advanced from novice tester to recognised technical lead, designing automation frameworks and pioneering generative AI tools. He mentors apprentices, leads IBM’s early professional community, and hosts youth STEM sessions, and has proven that apprentices can drive transformation, innovation and lasting impact.
Ryan Skitt
The Gatsby T Level Student of the Year Award
Ryan has seized every opportunity his T Level offered. He has earned trust through high-quality work and fresh ideas, introducing Matterport which is now rolled out on important projects. Outside his placement he promotes T Levels, influencing peers and universities to explore new pathways. His journey has shaped his vision and inspired him to make a lasting mark on the built environment.
Bowmer and Kirkland
The Gatsby T Level Employer of the Year Award
Bowmer and Kirkland’s T Level programme builds on 102 years of commitment to nurturing construction talent. It helped address skills shortages and an ageing workforce, while dismantling industry stereotypes. It has also helped enhance diversity and foster career development for existing staff. Bowmer and Kirkland embraced T Levels early with College pilots and two placements, and have grown the programme to 182 placements – with plans to grow it even further.
Attwells Solicitors
The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award
Attwells Solicitors offer apprentices structured development plans, peer mentoring, and tailored wellbeing support, and are seeing real progression — including 100% retention to date. They are proud of the impact apprentices have, from boosting team performance to helping grow new offices. They have now fully replaced trainee solicitors with apprentices, and are passionate about nurturing diverse, committed talent.
Elyssa Marshall
The Amazon Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award
Elyssa loves feeling connected to her community, maintaining homes and supporting tenant welfare and she aspires to bring people the community, safety and care they deserve in her role. Her apprenticeship has offered invaluable skills and insights and she is hoping to build on it in the future, cultivating traditional woodworking, boat building, and thatching skills. In her free time she works supporting male/non-binary sexual violence survivors.
Katie House
The BAE Systems Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award
Katie has a real passion for apprenticeships. Having completed four herself she’s now an Apprenticeship Ambassador and part of a forum within Specsavers helping to shape the future for the younger generation. Continuing to develop her skills within the apprenticeship team, Katie is training to become a coach and hopes to bring a fresh approach to the team whilst still providing outstanding support.
Bagnalls
The Aptem Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Employer of the Year Award
Apprentices have been continually employed at Bagnalls for 148 years, and 38% of current colleagues – including three Directors – began their careers as apprentices. Apprenticeships are supporting Bagnalls’ vision of being the UK’s leading specialist painting contractor. They’ve invested in recruiting a more diverse workforce, and many newly recruited apprentices have won college and industry awards.
Bethany Taylor
NOCN Group Special Recognition Award 2025
Bethany has overcome significant barriers to build a successful career in the legal profession following the completion of her solicitor apprenticeship, demonstrating exceptional resilience and determination. Her journey has become a powerful source of inspiration for young people from lower socio-economic and care-experienced backgrounds. She has shown what is possible when talent is given a platform, becoming a role model who proves that opportunity can be equal and that your starting point does not define your future.
Specsavers
The QA Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award
Specsavers believe apprenticeships are key to building a future-ready workforce. They have developed over 2,600 apprentices since 2021, with 98% achieving distinctions. Apprentices have an impact on culture and talent pipeline and Specsavers proactively invest in inclusive, flexible, high-quality development. As a result they are reaping the benefits of a diverse, skilled workforce.
Kieren Buxton
The Royal Navy Degree Level Apprentice of the Year Award
Kieren’s apprenticeship gave him vital skills in leadership, AI, and software development, while balancing full-time work, study, and family life. He has led innovative projects improving apprenticeship completions, generating revenue, influencing policy, and raising brand profile. He’s supported, mentored and inspired new apprentices at the start of their journeys and has remained committed to making a difference.
Katy Dorman
The Royal Air Force Skills Champion of the Year Award
A former Level 7 apprentice, Katy currently leads ‘Apprenticeships Norfolk’ - an intermediary brokerage service delivering a strategic portfolio of innovative, high-impact initiatives like #MadeInNorfolk. She also co-chairs the National Apprenticeship Hub Network and actively seeks to shape and deliver national policy through a variety of voluntary roles. She is committed to delivering meaningful change.