Nominations open as Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards Reaches Tin-Credible 10-Year Anniversairy Milestone

Truro and Penwith College has opened nominations for the landmark tenth Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards that will raise the curtain on National Apprenticeship Week on 06 February and celebrate a decade of apprenticeship excellence on the event’s Tin Anniversary.

Local and national businesses have come out in force to support the event with Headline sponsors Hertzian joined by Award Partners; CORMAC, Cornwall Manufacturers Group, Watson Marlow, and Media Partners Business Cornwall with Imerys Minerals returning to sponsor the sparkling trophies alongside a host of other local and national sponsors.

A brand-new Rising Star category has been added to the 10-year anniversary event for the very first time to give dedicated recognition to apprentices aged 21 and under who have made exceptional contributions to their employer and commitment to their studies as they start their quality career journey.

The new category joins the coveted Achiever of the Year and Cornwall’s Apprentice of the Year as one that is expected to be hotly contested amongst apprenticeship learners across Cornwall. The Academic Mentor and Workplace Mentor of the Year awards, added in 2024, return again in 2026 having proved hugely popular along with the ever-present Large and SME Employer of the Year Awards.

Nominations are now being accepted online for all fifteen categories (see Categories below) at www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/CAA where information on all the categories, eligibility and the award’s evening is also available.

The simple nomination process requires a short 150-200-word explanation for each piece of judging criteria, highlighting why the nominee is an example of excellence with over 40 nominees due to be shortlisted after nominations close at 4pm on Monday 20 October.

Any Cornwall-based apprentice, employer or mentor is eligible for nomination, regardless of their College or training provider, provided they have been involved in apprenticeship training since June 2024.

Oliver Elwell-Deighton from TouchByte, scooped the coveted title of Cornwall’s Apprentice of the Year in 2025 along with Digital & IT Apprentice of the Year, having played a leading role in developing new software features for his employer representing TouchByte internationally, pitching products in the Netherlands, USA and Dubai to audiences of up to 400 people.

Oliver commented: “It’s a massive privilege to have been selected as Cornwall’s Apprentice of the Year 2025 amongst such a range of skilled people. The apprenticeship route has been fantastic for me, it’s given me a way into the industry that I don’t think I’d have been able to get anywhere else”.

Piers Smith from St Austell Brewery picked up the 2025 Achiever of the Year Award having overcome personal challenges including a hearing impediment and learning needs, alongside past experiences of bullying in school. His first day at college was the first time he had left Fowey by himself. Piers went on to run a dessert section for his employer, introduced workflow changes that increased profits and contributed to community charity efforts raising over £1,000 for defibrillators in Cornwall.Piers said: “I’m shocked, I didn’t expect to be in the finals and am really proud of myself. I have to thank my family, tutors and my employer.”

Sarah Collett, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, won Nursing & Clinical Apprentice of the Year. Previously a Theatre Assistant, she progressed to an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Apprenticeship at the University Centre Truro & Penwith and secured employment as a Registered ODP. Her research on the use of music during surgery to reduce patient stress and anxiety has already influenced local practice.

Employer success stories shone through in 2025 with Seasalt Cornwall named Large Employer of the Year, recognised for embedding apprenticeships at the heart of its workforce and RG Kellow securing SME Employer of the Year for its commitment to nurturing skills in the local economy.

Headline sponsors Hertzian return to support the landmark 2026 Awards and will also present the coveted Cornwall’s Apprentice of the Year Award. Christopher Weavil, Co-Founder and CEO commented: “Eighteen percent of Hertzian’s workforce is made up of Truro and Penwith College apprentices, with thirty-six percent having studied an apprenticeship with Hertzian at some stage of their career. We are very happy to be sponsoring Cornwall’s Apprenticeship Awards event.”

Martin Tucker, Principal at Truro and Penwith College commented: “We are thrilled to open nominations for the tenth annual Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards. The College is incredibly proud of the Awards and the high regard in which it is held by employers and learners across the county. We look forward to a very enjoyable evening on 06 February as we mark the event’s 10-year anniversary, while celebrating all the exceptional talent that exists across apprenticeships in Cornwall”.

Nominations for the Awards are being accepted online along with more information about the event and nomination process: www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/CAA. Anyone wishing to submit a nomination can also email nominations@truro-penwith.ac.uk for guidance.

Categories

Employer Awards

Mentor Awards

Apprentice of the Year Sector Awards

A huge thanks to all our sponors, without whom the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards would not be possible. Find out more about our sponsors online.