Newbury College and University Centre Newbury (UCN) celebrated the achievements of higher education students and apprentices at the Skills Expo 2026 and Apprenticeship Awards.
Employers, parents, tutors, Development Coaches and support teams attended the event at the Monks Lane campus. Together, they recognised the hard work and dedication of students and apprentices who are already making an impact in their industries.
The Skills Expo gave UCN students the opportunity to present innovative, career-focused projects. They demonstrated how the knowledge and practical skills developed through their programmes are being applied in the workplace.
Projects represented a wide range of subjects, including Mechanical, Manufacturing and Electrical Engineering, Sport, Access to Higher Education, and Art and Design.
The exhibition highlighted the technical ability, creativity and ambition of UCN students. It also reflected the College and University Centre’s commitment to helping students gain the skills they need for meaningful careers and workplace success.
The exhibition was followed by the awards ceremony, which recognised outstanding individuals and projects from across UCN’s academic programmes. Newbury College and UCN also presented awards to employers and apprentices whose achievements were recognised during National Apprenticeship Week earlier in the year. The full list of winners is available on the College website at https://newbury-college.ac.uk/news-events/news/apprenticeship-awards-celebrate-skills-careers-and-community
Florin Loras, Head of Faculty for Higher and Adult Education, said:
“Our students are already driving change in the workplace and helping to shape the future of local industry. The Expo and Awards reflect not only individual success, but our shared commitment to ‘Careers, not courses’.
“None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of employers, including those attending today. They continue to invest their time, knowledge and expertise in developing local talent.”
The event demonstrated the value of collaboration between education and industry. It brought learners, employers and College teams together to celebrate achievement and recognise the skills being developed for the future workforce.
Following the awards ceremony, guests enjoyed a buffet prepared and served by Catering students in the College’s on-site restaurant. This gave the students another opportunity to demonstrate their professional skills and allowed guests to celebrate the breadth of talent across Newbury College and UCN.
UCN Award Winners
| Categories | Winners |
| Best Project - Engineering Masters | Mark Humphris |
| Best Project - BEng (Hons) Engineering Design Degree | Jed Hoskins |
| Best Project - HNC Electrical & Electronic Engineering | Hayden Lacey |
| Best Project - HND Electrical & Electronic Engineering | Benjamin Levinson |
| Best Project - HNC Manufacturing Engineering | Craig Higgins |
| Best Project - HND Manufacturing Engineering | Holly Morten |
| Best Project - HND Mechanical Engineering | Joshua Grech-Cini |
| Best Project - HNC Mechanical Engineering | Jamie Dobson |
| Best Project - HNC Embedded Electronic Systems | Daniel Marron |
| Best Project - Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship Level 6 | Cameron Jarvis |
| Best Project - Degree Apprenticeship | Martin Bulman |
| Student of the Year - HNC Community Coaching for England | Tayla Jones |
| Student of the Year - HND Sport & Exercise Science | Oliver Booker |
| Best Project - Access to HE | Curtis Oppong-Edwards |
| Best Contribution Award Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Level 4 | Annie Steeden |
Apprentices Award Winners
| Categories | Winners |
| Best Business Apprentice | Andrew Buckingham from Nustream |
| Best Early Years Apprentice | Luke Stevens from Rocking Horse Day Nursery |
| Best Finance Apprentice | Kirsty Roff from Crown Lift Trucks |
| Best Building Services Engineering Apprentice | Aaron Sedman From University of Oxford |
| Best Electrical Apprentice | Curtysha Gaskin from Equinix |
| Best Plumbing Apprentice | Kane French from Southern Maintenance Solutions |
| Best Motor Vehicle Apprentice | Freddie Anderton from PR Motors |
| Best Engineering Apprentice | Joshua Jones from Entec Sound & Light |
Apprenticeships - Employer Recognition Award Winners
| Categories | Winners |
| Finance Apprenticeship Employer Award | Crown Lift Trucks |
| Construction Apprenticeship Employer Award | EcoMech Plumbing and Heating |
| Early Years Apprenticeship Employer Award | St John the Evangelist Infant and Nursery School |
| Engineering Apprenticeship Employer Award | Quantum Design Oxford |
| Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship Employer Award | Long Lane Garage |
Apprenticeships - Employer Recognition Award Winners
| Categories | Winners |
| Best Mentor | Krzysztof Swierkot from University of Oxford |
| Best Tutor | Jude Buckell from Newbury College |
| Best Development Coach | Julie Dodd from Newbury College |
Visit ucn.ac.uk to find out more about higher education options, including degree apprenticeships.