Celebrating Success: Oaklands Training & Development Employer and Apprenticeships Celebration Event 2025

On Monday night we proudly hosted the Oaklands Training & Development Employer and Apprenticeships Celebration Event 2025; a truly special evening filled with celebration, connection, and community spirit.

The event brought together our incredible employer partners, apprentices, and dedicated staff to recognise the vital role that education, training, and partnership play in shaping strong, sustainable futures. Whether through apprenticeships, T Levels, mentoring, work experience, or industry placements, employers remain at the heart of everything we do at Oaklands College.

The evening was a true celebration, made even more memorable by the warm and welcoming atmosphere, meaningful conversations, and the opportunity to connect with so many passionate people who are making a difference. We were honoured to be joined by Mark Bretton MBE, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, who helped us reflect on the power of partnership and the positive impact we can have when we work together.

A special highlight of the night was the fantastic charity raffle, generously supported by our good friends at Goods For Good. Their contribution not only added a fun and exciting moment to the evening but also helped us give back to a wonderful cause that aligns with our values of community and care.

We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all the staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this event to life. Your dedication, teamwork, and attention to detail made the evening such a resounding success, and it could not have happened without you.

• Agriculture & Environmental Award – Bernard Ashman
• Business & Administration Award – Saffron Heasley
• Electrical (Construction) Award – Abbie Taylor
• Plumbing (Construction) Award – Oliver Squibb
• Education & Early Years Award – Evie Powell
• Engineering & Manufacturing Award – James Mayhew
• Hair & Beauty Award – Terri-Ann Lai
• T Level Student of the Year – Dylon Mcdermott
• Work Experience Student of the Year – Luke Hipgrave
• Apprentice of the Year – Abbie Taylor
• Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – Airbus

• Innovation & Creativity Award – D5 Design
• Technology Partner of the Year – CAE Technology Services Limited
• Sustainability & Environment Award – R G Carter
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award – Hertfordshire Services for Young People, Hertfordshire County Council
• Industry Placement of the Year – Uno
• Work Experience Employer of the Year – Morgan Sindall Property Services
• Sports Partner of the Year – KitKing
• Impact on Community Award – Goods For Good
• Outstanding Mentor Support Award – Boast Architects
• Career Ready Champions Award – Jubilee House Care Trust
• Oaklands Employer of the Year – Herts & Beds Constructing Excellence Club 

Each award is a celebration of the outstanding commitment and shared vision between Oaklands College and our employer partners. Together, we are shaping a skilled, supported, and confident workforce for the future.

We are proud of the strong partnerships we continue to build across the region and we look forward to another year of impact, innovation, and opportunity.

Thank you again to everyone who made this incredible evening possible.