Celebrating Employer Partnerships at the Employer Celebration Event 2026
Last week, we were delighted to host the Employer Celebration Event 2026, bringing together employer partners, apprentices, learners and staff for an inspiring evening of recognition, collaboration and celebration.
The event celebrated the invaluable role our employer partners play in helping learners develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to succeed. Through apprenticeships, T Levels, mentoring, work experience and industry placements, employers remain at the heart of everything we do at Oaklands College.
Guests heard speeches from Andrew Slade, Principal and CEO of Oaklands College; Norman Jennings, Operations Director at Hertfordshire Futures; Annie Brewster, His Majesty The King's Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire; and Councillor Vaishali Shah, Deputy Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. Speakers highlighted the importance of strong partnerships and investing in skills for the future.
The evening also featured an inspiring performance from Electric Umbrella. Their celebration of inclusion, creativity and community perfectly complemented the theme of the event, before Oaklands colleagues presented awards recognising outstanding employers, apprentices and learners.
Congratulations to our Apprenticeship and Learner Award winners:
- Agriculture & Environmental Award – Archie Raynham
- Business & Administration Award – Tyler Bown
- Built Environment (Electrical) Award – Zac Feeley
- Built Environment (Carpentry) Award – Harry Bright
- Education & Early Years Award – Ellie Headington
- Engineering & Manufacturing Award – Kyle Lamount
- T Level Learner of the Year – Goodness Tarabina
- Work Experience Learner of the Year – Tianna Parmley
- Training and Development Award – Mayhar Rezaee
- Apprentice of the Year – Archie Raynham
- Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – Call Systems Technology Limited
Congratulations to our Employer Partner Award winners:
- Technology Partner of the Year – HP
- Sustainability and Environment Award – Maydencroft
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award – Electric Umbrella
- Impact on Community Award – SEGRO plc
- Adult Learner Employer Partner of the Year – Home Bargains
- Sports Partner of the Year – PureGym
- Outstanding Mentor Support Award – Herts & Beds Constructing Excellence Club
- Get Career Ready Champions Award – Computacenter
- Work Experience Employer of the Year – Champneys
- T Level Employer of the Year – Willmott Dixon
- Employer of the Year – Willmott Dixon
The Employer Celebration Event was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the strength of our partnerships and the shared commitment to developing the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
Congratulations once again to all of our winners and nominees, and thank you to everyone who helped make the Employer Celebration Event 2026 such a special occasion.
We look forward to continuing to work together to inspire, develop and empower the next generation of talent.