Published: 10/03/2026

Apprenticeship excellence recognised

New College Lanarkshire's Institute of Apprenticeships held its annual awards ceremony last week, celebrating the businesses and individuals who are shaping the future of skilled trades across Lanarkshire.

The evening, held on Wednesday 4th March 2026, brought together apprentices, employers, and college staff to recognise outstanding achievement across a range of industries - from engineering and automotive to dental nursing, social care, and electronic fire and security.

The Institute of Apprenticeships (IoA), launched by NCL in March 2025, has already made a significant impact. In its first year, the IoA supported over 250 apprentices through its Ready Set Apprentice workshops - a dedicated programme offering team-building activities, mental health support, and financial wellbeing sessions at Motherwell Campus. January 2026 also saw the launch of the IoA Alumni Network, which has already welcomed 480 former apprentices into a lifelong professional community.

The Foundation Apprentice of the Year awards recognised exceptional young people at the start of their apprenticeship journey:

  • Children & Young People — Chloe Grant

  • Construction — Haroon Ashfaq

  • Engineering — Neil Harley

The Modern Apprentice of the Year awards celebrated outstanding progress and dedication across a wide range of disciplines:

 

Automotive Studies

  • Light Vehicle — Noa Bah

  • Heavy Vehicle — Kieran MacKenzie

  • Motorcycle — James Ruthven

  • Paint Refinishing — Aaron Rieley

  • Vehicle Body Repair — Zak Murray

 

Dental Nursing

  • Lucy Kane

 

Social Services & Healthcare

  • Ragani Brandsma

 

Children & Young People

  • Rachel McLean

 

Electronic Fire & Security Systems

  • 1st Year — Andrew Harkins

  • 2nd Year — Blair Whiteford

  • 3rd Year — Michael McGregor

 

Engineering

  • Fabrication & Welding — Allan Logan

  • Electrical Engineering — Ruben Bryson

  • Mechanical Engineering — Callum MacPherson

  • Multiskilled Engineering — Liam Lynch

  • Manufacturing Engineering — Sam Lauriston

 

Business Administration

  • Abbie Rolland

The Employer of the Year awards recognised businesses that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to developing apprenticeship talent:

  • Business Administration — Bell Group

  • SME Electronic Fire & Security — DM Integrated

  • SME Automotive Light Vehicle Repair — B&B Autocare

  • SME Automotive Vehicle Body Repair — L&I Eaton ARC Ltd

  • Large Employer Electronic Fire & Security — Johnson Controls

 

Congratulations to all winners, nominees, and everyone who took part in last night's ceremony.