Apprenticeship success recognised at 2026 awards

The University of Huddersfield has celebrated the achievements of its apprenticeship students and employers at its annual Apprenticeship Awards. 

The awards recognise apprentices that have made an outstanding contribution to their workplace, as well as employers that have been pivotal to the University’s apprenticeship programme. 

Prizes across six categories were awarded, which were: Level 5 Apprentice of the Year; Level 6 Apprentice of the Year; Level 7 Apprentice of the Year; Small Employer of the Year; Large Employer of the Year and Apprenticeship Ambassador of the Year. 

Professor Tim Thornton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, spoke at the award ceremony, alongside the University’s Director of Apprenticeships, Brian Culleton, who then presented the awards to the 2026 winners. 

“The University is extremely proud of the remarkable success of its apprenticeships,” said Mr Culleton. 

“Being graded as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and then securing the highest qualification achievement rates in the country for two consecutive years are huge achievements.  We congratulate everyone involved and thank them – apprentices and our employment partners - for building such a successful and accessible apprenticeship provision. 

Discover more about apprenticeships at Huddersfield

“The commitment of our apprentices to their own growth and development, coupled with the encouragement and guidance provided by their employers, has been instrumental in making the University of Huddersfield apprenticeships a resounding success.”

The 2026 winners were:

• Level 5 apprentice of the year for the School of Business, Education and Law - Fay Wilson (Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council)

• Level 5 apprentice of the year for the School of Human and Health Sciences – James Morley (Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust)
• Level 6 winner of the year – (joint winners) - Vincent Arkon (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) and Rebekah Smith (South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust)

• Level 7 apprentice of the year – School of Business, Education and Law – James Erskine (CorkSol UK)
• Level 7 apprentice of the year – School of Human and Health Sciences – Rhiannon Knibb (Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust)
• Small Employer of the year – School of Business, Education and Law - Upper Batley High School
• Small Employer of the Year – School of Human and Health Sciences - Boulevard Medical Practice
• Large employer of the year – School of Business, Education and Law - Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
• Large Employer of the Year – School of Human and Health Sciences - City Healthcare Partnership
• Apprentice ambassador of the year - Anne Flanagan (Calderdale Metropolitan District Council)

Apprenticeships at Huddersfield - further information

The University of Huddersfield offers a number of higher and degree apprenticeships, which are a way for employers to support their staff to study for university qualifications. Apprentices spend part of their time at the University and the remainder at their place of work, benefitting from on-the-job training, enhanced by their degree education. 

Awarded an outstanding rating by Ofsted for its apprenticeship provision, the University is the largest provider of apprenticeships in nursing and allied health in Yorkshire and the Humber. 

 Huddersfield’s apprenticeship provision is rated the highest of 17 universities across the north of England from Manchester to Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the latest Qualification Achievement Rates. No other university in the country can also offer an achievement rate as high as 88 per cent across as many as the 11 apprenticeship courses that Huddersfield has to offer.

The University offers the following degree apprenticeships:

Advanced Clinical Practice, Midwifery Studies, Nursing Associate, Occupational Therapy, Operating Department Practice, Paramedic Science, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Registered Nurse, as well as management apprenticeships in Professional Manager (Level 5) and Mathematics Teaching (Secondary) with QTS.