WBTC Rising Stars Graduation and Employer Awards 2025
WBTC Rising Stars and Employer Awards 2025
Save the date! The annual WBTC Rising Stars and Employer Awards will be held on Thursday May 15th, 2025, at the Arlington Arts Centre. This event is a fantastic afternoon, dedicated to honouring the remarkable achievements of apprentices and the invaluable support provided by their employers.
Each year WBTC comes together to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and success of its apprentices. The Rising Stars Awards recognise those individuals, who have demonstrated exceptional talent, commitment, and progress throughout their apprenticeship journey. These Rising Stars represent the future of their respective industries, and their accomplishments serve as inspiration to others.
The event also shines a spotlight on the employers who play a crucial role in nurturing and guiding those apprentices. The Employer Awards acknowledge the businesses that have gone above and beyond to provide apprentices with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to thrive in their chosen fields. These employers understand the value of investing in the next generation and are committed to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment.
This year’s awards will feature several exciting categories. For apprentices, we will celebrate both 16-18 Apprentice of the Year and 19+ Apprentice of the Year, recognising the diverse range of talent and experience in the apprenticeship community. On the employer side, awards will be presented for Small Employer of the Year, Medium Employer of the Year and Large Employer of the Year, acknowledging the contributions of businesses of all sizes to apprenticeship development.
Click on the buttons below to cast your nomination for each category.
The Judging Panel
The judges for the 2025 Rising Stars Graduation and Employer Awards are individuals who WBTC feel make an outstanding contribution to apprenticeships and learning and have been supporters of WBTC for many years. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience of apprenticeships and post-16 education and appreciate the effort and commitment needed to achieve success. We are extremely grateful to them for taking time from their busy schedules to take up the challenge of selecting our finalists and choosing the winners of the WBTC Rising Stars and Employer Awards.
Jon Thompson
For over 40 years Jon has been employed in Public Service, with the delivery of national policy and initiatives supporting employment, education, training and skills. Joining in 2010 Jon steered WBTC to taking on a wide range of funded initiatives delivering training and support for disadvantaged and young people with learning difficulties and he has secured funding for the delivery of free training to more than 100 local employers. Since retiring in 2019 Jon has continued to be a ‘critical friend’ to WBTC.
Alison Prudden
Alison has over 30 years’ experience in the further education sector as both a lecturer in marketing and a programme manager across professional, vocational and non-accredited courses. Since 2008 she has been involved in the development of the Council’s community learning service, overseeing the commissioning and management of adult learning across West Berkshire. A strong advocate for lifelong learning, Alison regularly promotes the wider benefits of learning specifically around career progression, supporting families, improving confidence and developing health and wellbeing.
Alex Pye
Our first judge for this year's Rising Stars Awards is Alex Pye. Alex is a Careers and Participation Officer with West Berkshire Council. He has many years experience working with young people in a range of settings including schools, colleges and in the community. He is an archery and canoeing coach, as well as a keen hill walker. Alex can regularly be found supporting people in achieving the Duke of Edinburgh award in the UK or overseas.
Rising Stars Graduation and Employer Awards 2025 Sponsors
Our immense gratitude to our sponsors, whose contributions are crucial to the event's success.
Newbury News and Media
Large Employer of the Year
Bayer PLC
Medium Employer of the Year
SNG
Small Employer of the Year
Barnfield Engineering
Mentor of the Year
Amberjack
Great Start Learner of the Year
Benchmark
Apprentice of the Year (16-18)
Cleanova
Apprentice of the Year (19+)
West Berkshire Adult Learning
Functional Skills Learner of the Year
