Outstanding Talent Honoured at Middlesbrough College Group’s Apprenticeship Awards 2025

Middlesbrough College Group’s Apprenticeship Awards 2025 recently brought together exceptional apprentices, employers and supporters for an evening of celebration at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

Around 150 guests – including apprentices and their families, employers, sponsors and college staff – attended the annual ceremony, which recognised excellence across 26 award categories, including Rising Star, Business of the Year and the prestigious Overall Apprentice of the Year.

This year’s event also introduced a brand-new award category, the Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships Award, created to celebrate individuals driving excellence in apprenticeship delivery. The inaugural award was presented to Liz Barraclough, one of the College’s own tutors, and recognised her commitment to supporting and inspiring learners across the North East.

Matt Telling, Group Business Development Director at Middlesbrough College Group and host of the evening, said: “It was a pleasure to host this year’s Apprenticeship Awards and to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our learners, employers and partners. The talent and commitment showcased demonstrate exactly why apprenticeships are so vital to the region’s growth. Every finalist should be incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished, and it’s inspiring to see so many young people approaching their careers with such drive and confidence.”

Among the standout achievements of the evening was the announcement of Millie Smith as Overall Apprentice of the Year.

Millie, who works at Resolution Media as part of the Tees Business team, also secured the Business Administrator Apprentice of the Year award. Her professionalism, creativity and significant contribution to her organisation have set her apart as an exceptional apprentice.

Her achievements include planning and delivering high-profile regional events, producing high-quality content, and demonstrating leadership through mentoring a new colleague. At College, she consistently performs at the highest level, producing outstanding work and acting as a role model for her peers.

Millie said: “It was an honour to be shortlisted for the Apprenticeship Awards, let alone win the Business Admin Apprentice of the Year award and then to go and win the Overall Apprentice Award was surreal! To have my family in attendance and see how proud they were of me was amazing. I can’t thank the team at Middlesbrough College, Tees Business and my family enough for the support and confidence they have given me on this journey.”

Tees Business director Dave Allan added: ““Everyone at Tees Business is delighted for Millie, who is an incredibly modest, amiable young person who has proven herself to be hard working, fast learning team player with a can-do attitude.

“She was just 16 when my fellow director Martin and I interviewed her but we saw her potential and, two years on, were delighted to welcome her as a permanent member of the Tees Business team on completion of her apprenticeship.

“Her progress and growth in confidence over the last two years is testament not only to the power of apprenticeships but to the Middlesbrough College team who worked with her on day release over an 18-month period.”

Gary Potts, Vice Principal of Business, Innovation and Community Partnerships, said: “Our Apprenticeship Awards are all about celebrating the talent, dedication and hard work of apprentices across the region. This year’s winners have truly gone above and beyond, making an outstanding impact in their workplaces and inspiring those around them. It’s fantastic to see how businesses and individuals are thriving through apprenticeships and we’re proud to play a part in supporting the next generation of skilled professionals.”

The awards also celebrated the success of partnering businesses. Lionweld Kennedy, a leading Teesside-based manufacturing company, was named Business of the Year for its commitment to developing talent, investing in skills and offering meaningful apprenticeship pathways.

A total of 22 employers sponsored the event, including Thirteen Group, Wilton Engineering, Handelsbanken, BearTech, Sembcorp, NZT Power and Resolution Media.

The 2025 awards once again showcased the significant impact apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider regional economy, highlighting inspiring achievements across a broad range of sectors and skill levels.

Full list of 2025 award winners as follows:

For further information about apprenticeship opportunities, visit the Northern Skills website here.

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