A PUBLIC vote is now open for the coveted Achiever of the Year title at Truro and Penwith College’s 2026 Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards. The accolade recognised apprentices who have overcome adversity. Voting closes on Friday, November 14 at www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/public-vote and the nominees are:

· Project management apprentice Tamsin Allen, who was forced to change career from a clinical role at Royal Cornwall Hospital’s NHS Trust after being diagnosed with a connective tissue disease. She has since led a pioneering Silent Hospital Pilot Project that has transformed the postnatal ward experience and made annual savings of £75,000;

· Apprentice bricklayer Connor Barkle, 20, who has a sight impairment and has developed precise methods of planning, measuring and sequencing to produce consistently accurate and professional brickwork for his employer Samuel Winn Construction;

· Commis chef apprentice Carl Burt, who has endured personal hardships, profound loss, emotional challenges and a serious motorcycle accident but has excelled to running his own section of the kitchen at St Austell Brewery.

Truro and Penwith College has unveiled a shortlist of 38 nominees for the 10-year-anniversary of the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards, which will be held at the Eden Project on Friday, February 6, 2026. - just before National Apprenticeship Week.

Hundreds of nominations were received across 15 categories, including a brand new Rising Star award added to offer special recognition for apprentices aged 16 to 21 who have made exceptional contributions to their employer and commitment to their studies at the start of their career journey.

The coveted title of Apprentice of the Year for was won in 2025 by Oliver Elwell-Deighton from TouchByte, who was also named Digital & IT Apprentice of the Year for playing a leading role in developing new software features for his employer, and for pitching products in the Netherlands, USA and Dubai to audiences of up to 400 people.

“The apprenticeship route has been fantastic for me,” he said. “It’s given me a way into the industry that I don’t think I’d have been able to get anywhere else.”

The Academic Mentor and Workplace Mentor of the Year awards, added in 2024, proved hugely popular and return alongside the ever-present Large and SME Employer of the Year Awards.

Trophies will be presented by radio veteran Neil Caddy and Daphne Skinnard, Truro and Penwith College Governor and Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall.

Martin Tucker, Principal at Truro and Penwith College, commented; “We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the very special ten-year anniversary Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards. The College is incredibly proud of the Awards, its growth over the last decade and the high regard in which it is held by employers and learners across the county.

“For apprenticeships to deliver economically they need to be of the highest quality. The Awards presents a perfect opportunity to recognise that quality and we look forward to a very enjoyable evening celebrating all the talent that exists across the apprenticeship provision in the county.”

The full shortlist is available at www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/caa.