A night of record-breaking success at Burnley College Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards 2026
The region’s top apprentices and employers were feted at Burnley College’s Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards 2026.
This prestigious annual event shines a spotlight on amazing apprentices, the powerful impact of apprenticeships in shaping careers, and the dedication of forward-thinking employers and mentors who drive training excellence across multiple industries.
The glittering ceremony honoured the exceptional talent and commitment demonstrated by apprentices throughout 2025 as winners were revealed across 11 competitive categories, showcasing the breadth of excellence that Themis Apprenticeships nurture and support.
Former Burnley and Manchester United star Mike Phelan, from Nelson, shared his journey from the pitch to the sidelines, inspiring the next generation of leaders and innovators with insights into the power of dedication and adaptability in achieving success.
Burnley College’s new principal and chief executive officer Jason Faulkner addressed guests, speaking passionately about celebrating the winning apprentices, employers and mentors for their resilience, ambition and relentless work ethic.
Oliver Ryan, MP for Burnley and Padiham, echoed the principal’s sentiments, commending the winners as fantastic ambassadors for the town.
During the ceremony, guests were wowed by a moving performance of Stereophonics’ Dakota by current Advanced Level Music Performance student Stanley Lumb.
The winners of the Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards 2026 are:
Business and Professional Services Apprentice of the Year: Josh Lamb, Fort Vale
Childcare and Teaching Apprentice of the Year: Meadow Young, Good as Gold Childcare Centre
Construction Apprentice of the Year: Harley Rawstron, B and E Boys
Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year: Robert Sutcliffe, Johnson Matthey
Sport, Leisure and Beauty Apprentice of the Year: Darcy Kitchen, Deep Beauty Spa
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Meadow Young, Good as Gold Childcare Centre
Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Robert Sutcliffe, Johnson Matthey
Higher Apprentice of the Year: Zoe Richardson, Bright Futures Early Learning
Degree Apprentice of the Year: Thahmid Alam, Proctor Process Plant
Employer of the Year: Starrag UK
Apprentice Champion/Mentor Recognition Award: Bruno Simpson, VEKA PLC
The awards night brought together industry leaders, winners, finalists, and their families to recognise the remarkable contributions of everyone involved in the apprenticeship journey.
Neil Burrows, director for Skills and Innovation at Burnley College, said the night was a fantastic way to celebrate apprentice talent:
“The Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards are always a highlight of our year, and the 2026 ceremony has been a tremendous success. The passion, skill and ambition displayed by our finalists and winners was truly inspiring.
“It’s a privilege to see such powerful partnerships between our apprentices and the forward-thinking employers who invest in their development,” he added.
“This event is a fantastic celebration of hard work that reinforces the value of apprenticeships in strengthening the local economy and building a skilled workforce for the future.”
The Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards 2026 were kindly supported by headline sponsors Oak and More, programme sponsor NOCN Group, trophy sponsor Farleys, drinks sponsor Simply Classic, award sponsors D&M Creative, Veka, Haldane Fisher, NOCN Group and ETC Awards and Judging Day sponsor North West Aerospace Alliance.