SJCC Apprenticeship Awards 2025
SJCC Apprenticeship Awards 2024
Construction Professional Apprentice of the Year 2024
LEVEL 7 – WINNER
Apprentice: Meghna Deora
Role: Part II Architectural Assistant
Employer: Pick Everard
University: University of Cambridge
Judges’ comments: “Our level 7 winner is an exceptional candidate who has been training in the apprentice route for the past 6 years and we have learnt that she has, in the past couple of months, passed her final exams and is now qualified in that field. Meghna works at Pick Everard as a newly qualified Architect. Her employer has stated that she is always keen to exceed expectations, whatever the task. Having a determination to succeed she has overcome incredible challenges over the past 4 years and used these to help shape her developing career. With exceptional design skills and a desire to create solutions, she achieves great results, whilst managing client expectations. The feedback from her course leader was just as complimentary, with statements such as showing a high standard of professionalism from day one, she has been a pacesetter in every aspect of study and practice that she has been involved in.”
LEVEL 6 – WINNER
Apprentice: Lee Allender
Role: Senior Apprentice Structural Engineer
Employer: Superstructures
University: Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford
Judges’ comments: “Our winner in the level 6 professional apprentice for this year was a standout from the moment of first reading his entry form. Lee works for Superstructures and is a 4th year degree apprentice in Civil Engineering. It is clear that he not only has an aptitude for his chosen field but is also extremely dedicated and eager to learn. A team player, he has already been promoted within his organisation to show how much he has achieved since starting out; he now uses what he has learnt to help develop other apprentices within the office structure. His academic results match with his office capabilities with 15 Gade As from a total of 20 modules, he is on track to complete with a first-class honours degree this summer.”
LEVEL 6 – RUNNER UP
Apprentice: Greg Robson
Role: Architectural Technologist
Employer: Employer KLH Architects
University: London Southbank University
Judges’ comments: "Greg is an Architectural Technology apprentice and works with KLH Architects – Greg started out his apprenticeship during Covid and showed great enthusiasm for the field from the outset. He has shown conviction, managing a busy office workload, alongside striving to do his best in his academic studies. His employer has said that he is already a great role model within the office, always willing to help others and eager to share what he has learnt with other trainees – he brings an energy to every task he is allocated.”
Trade Apprentice of the Year 2024
WINNER
Zac Baldwin
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Zak is a level 3 Carpenter and is employed by Godfrey Hicks Builders Ltd and attends West Suffolk College.
Zaks maturity, dedication and performance in everything he does belies his young age, and his employers regularly receive very positive feedback from experienced tradesman with whom he works with.
Zak is now carrying out and completing to very good standard many aspects of carpentry and joinery and his employers consider him to be a very valuable asset.
It is very evident that Zaks achievements have not only been recognised by his employer but by other organisations as well, with him being the recipient of the West Suffolk College Apprentice of the year during his first year of study. In addition to this prestigious award Zak is currently competing in the Screwfix apprentice of the year award in which he has progressed to the final round of 48 from 1800.
Zak is clearly an individual who sets himself challenging goals, perfectly demonstrated when as a level 1 apprentice he competed in the world skills competition for level 3 apprentices, and although not progressing to the next round he found the experience a rewarding one and this has pushed him on to enter this year as a true level 3, good luck Zak.
Beyond Zaks individual accomplishments he has inspired the next generation of carpenters. His involvement in events such as the Suffolk Show, where he dedicates his time to mentoring and engaging with aspiring carpenters, exemplifies his passion for sharing knowledge and fostering talent within our industry.
Clearly a very talented individual to whom we have one piece of important advice, make the next job the creation of a large trophy shelf as your talent is certainly being recognised.
RUNNER UP
Kristine Rowley​
Kristine is a level 2 Painter & Decorator and is employed by Eastlight Community Homes Limited and attends West Suffolk College.
Kristine possesses a very fierce commitment to succeeding in her role and this has been very evident from day one of her start of training. With a genuine passion for her trade Kristine has worked very hard with her day to day work and particularly with her college studies, where the hard work has put her on track to complete her college work ahead of schedule.
Kristinas work is always of the highest standard and her meticulous approach to detail has meant that she is delivering a standard over and above that expected at her point in her training. She has been exposed to many techniques, including wallpapering, wood graining, marbling, back rolling and many other specialist aspects of painting and decorating.
Outside of her obvious passion and commitment to her trade, she is also providing other benefits to her employer. Kristina has been a pioneer as her employers first apprentice, blazing a trail for subsequent apprentices to follow. She is always seen as a supportive member of the team and has been a fantastic role model for other female apprentices, always being available to speak honestly about her experience as a woman working in a predominantly male sector.
Kristinas passion and commitment to her trade is very clear to see. However, what makes this even more commendable, is the fact that having spent 13 years outside of the industry, she decided to re-train and return to college whilst balancing the demands of this commitment with being a mum to three children.
RUNNER UP
Harry Salisbury
Harry is a level 2 bricklayer and is employed by Jim Buxton Brickwork and attends Suffolk New College.
Harry comes from a family with a long tradition in the building trade, clearly an environment that has inspired him to pursue a career as a bricklayer. Harry has consistently demonstrated excellent performance and with high a level of enthusiasm at all times.
In addition to Harry’s desire and growing skills from a trade perspective he is also seen as a very amiable personality who fosters positive relationships at work.
To sum him up from an employer’s perspective they are quoted as saying “he is an asset to our organisations continued success”
Harry is considered an excellent student by Suffolk New College where he has worked hard to develop his understanding of both the practical and academic elements of his trade.
I am sure that Harry will have a successful career in the industry but even more certain that he will be successful in anything he does, this is clearly demonstrated by an interesting note in his nomination form.
As a 14 year old Harry along with his brother purchased 1000 chickens and his now converting a family building to purchase a further 2700 to expand upon his local egg supplies.
Clearly a driven individual.
SJCC Apprenticeship Awards 2023
Professional Apprentice of the Year
Apprentice: Andrew Elliot
Role: Architectural Assistant
Employer: Modece Architects Ltd
University: University of Cambridge
During his three years with Modece Architect, Andy has consistently produced work of outstanding quality, demonstrating unwavering determination and a commitment to learning. He has developed a comprehensive understanding of the diverse skills required to succeed as an architect. Andy's growth is evident in his confident presentations to clients and specialists, showcasing his improved design ability, attention to detail, and self-assuredness.
In addition to his core responsibilities, Andy has shown exceptional independence, taking on early-stage and detailed design tasks. His reliable management of consultants, clients, and contractors has been impressive.
Dr Timothy Brittain-Catlin, Andy's course leader at the University of Cambridge, commends his performance. Andy's meticulous planning, determination, and stamina have resulted in high marks within his cohort. Dr Brittain-Catlin fully supported Andy's nomination for the award, recognising his dedication and contributions to the field.
Trade Apprentice of the Year
Apprentice: Jamie Laflin
Role: Carpenter
Employer: Crest Carpentry
College: Otley College
‘Jay (Jamie) has been a great asset to the company since joining at the beginning of 2022. Since day one his best attribute is his fantastic attitude, he-is always willing to learn or lend a hand, he works hard and gets along with everyone. On site he learns quickly and takes pride iii demonstrating his new skills. He is ahead of where I would expect him to be in regards of the tasks he .can perform and especially the quality of work that he produces.’ – Crest Carpentry
Runner Up
Apprentice: Zac Hillman
Role: Bricklayer
Employer: Bury Developments
College: West Suffolk College
‘Zac has been with Bury Developments since October 2020 and started as an apprentice bricklayer. Since he started his apprenticeship in bricklaying, he has always had a positive and can-do attitude, is very motivated and keen to learn. He has fitted in well with our bricklaying team at Bury Developments and for someone as young as he is, he learns very quickly and always produces a high-quality finish with his work. As such, tutor at WSC entered Zac into a Skillbuild/Worldskills competition in April 2022, and he was also entered into the Guild of Bricklayers Regional heat in June 2022 and subsequently made it through to the National heat at the_ end of June.’ – Bury Developments
Zac has shown an interest into progressing into site management going forward
Runner Up
Apprentice: Charlie Stanbrook
Role: Carpenter
Employer: Seamans Building
College: West Suffolk College
Charlie joined Seamans Building from school in 2021. With Charlie's college work he has been able to demonstrate a good understanding of first fix works as well as some of the finer details in second fix elements. In recognition to this Charlie was also given the opportunity to complete all the second fix carpentry works on his own on a commercial development at Elm Farm Park for office fit out, delivering first time installation to a high standard.
Charlie's enthusiasm and his efforts to his college and work are what stands him out above his contemporaries, nothing is too small for Charlie, he always wants to push himself and explore new tasks and roles, his development into a carpentry role will provide him with a good grounding and undoubtably act as a steppingstone to wherever Charlie wants to take it.
"Carpentry involves a strong attention to detail along with a problem-solving ethic which I have enjoyed the challenge. A good understanding of maths helps enormously and being able to measure correctly is key. It's a great sense ·of achievement knowing that works I've built can fast for years". – Charlie
“He has demonstrated excellent knowledge of all aspects of the course and made a real eff01t-to get his work complete and to ·a very high standard. I have no doubt that Charlie will fly through his EPA and become a very good Carpenter" – West Suffolk college tutor
SJCC Apprenticeship Awards 2022
Three of the winning apprentices from left to right: George Page, Louis Hart and Zac Land.
The overall winner of the John Palmer Cup was Apprentice Carpenter, George Page. George works for
SEH French and attends Suffolk New College, where he is in his second year of his Site Carpentry Apprenticeship.
Two runner-up awards were presented this year to: Apprentice Bricklayer, Louis Hart, who works at Seamans Building and is in his second year at West Suffolk College, and Apprentice Carpenter, Zac Land, who works at Gipping Construction and is in his third year at Suffolk New College.
SJCC Apprenticeship Awards 2019
Six of the winning apprentices from left to right: Back row, Callum Meadows, Toby Finbow, Che Preston.
Front row, Jordan Thurwell, Stephen Snook and Scott Bullen.
The winners are as follows:
For Brickwork: Scott Bullen, who works for Wellington Construction and studies at East Coast College
For Brickwork: Toby Finbow, who attends Suffolk New College and works for Heron Build.
For Carpentry: Stephen Snook, who works for The Birch Group and studies at West Suffolk College.
For Carpentry: Jordan Thurwell, who works for the Blue Door Company and studies at West Suffolk College.
For Multi-trade: Callum Meadows, who works for Seven Property Group and attends West Suffolk College.
For Plastering: Che Preston, who studies at East and Otley College and works for D.A. Parker Plastering.
For Painting & Decorating: Ryan Allen, who goes to West Suffolk College and works for Aspire Decorators. (Unfortunately, Ryan was unable to attend the awards ceremony)
All Photo Credits: Paul Nixon Photography