Plymouth’s top construction apprentices celebrated

Outstanding local construction apprentices have been recognised for their skills and high standards demonstrated in their efforts and achievements at an awards ceremony held as part of Plymouth’s National Apprenticeship Week 2026.

The Apprentice of the Year Awards were presented jointly by Building Plymouth and the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG), with nominations submitted by local construction and advanced manufacturing employers, with the awards recognising nearly 60 talented apprentices who were celebrated at the ceremony held at Market Hall, Devonport.

Introducing the awards ceremony, Cllr Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships at Plymouth City Council said: “It was fitting to hold this celebration in National Apprenticeship Week 2026 with the theme ‘Skills for Life,’ a good chance to reflect on how the opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ can help both young people to start their career journey and adults to change career direction. These apprentice awards truly represent the very best of achievement in two of Plymouth’s high growth sectors: construction and the built environment, and advanced manufacturing and engineering. This important week and our inspiring annual Apprentice Awards celebration presents us with a great platform to shine a light on the amazing opportunities that an apprenticeship brings to employers, individuals and the economy. I thank all our local employers and training providers who continue to invest and support our apprentices. I am delighted to share a personal congratulations to everyone celebrated.”

At the awards ceremony, Finalist, Highly Commended and Winning apprentices were all celebrated for their success and commended for the high standards they have shown in their achievements and skills developed during their apprenticeships. The full list of construction apprentices recognised in the awards are detailed further below.

During the celebration, Connor Byrne with Larc Construction and Skills Group undertaking a Groundworker Apprenticeship Level 2 was presented the highly respected Ron Simmonds Construction Trade Apprentice of the Year 2026 Award. Upon accepting his award, Connor said: “I’m still in shock. Skills Group have been incredibly supportive, and I can’t thank my employer Larc Construction enough. My team are truly amazing, and I couldn’t ask for better people to work with. I’m loving every second of my apprenticeship, and it’s all thanks to them.”

Next up, Ellie Doddridge was awarded the prestigious Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2026 Award. Employed by Classic Builders and studying with City College Plymouth in partnership with University of Plymouth, Ellie is undertaking a Quantity Surveying Technician and Construction Site Supervision Apprenticeship Level 4. On receiving her award, Ellie said: “I feel incredibly grateful to be receiving this award. The people and networks around me have truly supported me, encouraged me, and helped me get to where I am today. I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Presenting the construction apprentice awards as Building Plymouth’s Chair, David Bayliss, Design and Business Manager at Obedair Construction said: “The Apprentice of the Year Awards are certainly a highlight event and I am delighted to present awards to the city’s top construction and built environment apprentices. With Plymouth facing its most ambitious capital build programme in 25 years along with the drive towards transitioning to a net zero carbon economy, we recognise through our Building Plymouth partnership how important investment in apprenticeships will be to deliver this growth locally. Huge congratulations to all the winners and finalists for our Building Plymouth awards!”
Full listing of construction apprentices recognised

Building Plymouth Apprentices 2026

Trade apprentices:

Winner – The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year 2026

 Connor Byrne with Larc Construction Ltd and Skills Group Ltd undertaking Groundworker Apprenticeship Level 2

Highly Commended – The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year 2026

 Jude King, with Upward Loft Solutions and Skills Group Ltd – undertaking a Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 2

 Scott Fearn with YGS Landscapes and City College Plymouth undertaking Landscaping and Horticulture Apprenticeship Level 2

 Tarun May with Plym Group Ltd and Greenlight Safety and Training undertaking Bricklaying Apprenticeship Level 3

Finalists – The Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year 2026

 Aidan Watts with Adrian Stokes Property Developments and City College Plymouth undertaking a Craft Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship Level 3

 Cameron Perrin with Michael Taylor Plymouth Limited and Skills Group Ltd undertaking a Groundworker Apprenticeship Level 2

 Matthew Williams with Lilburn and Elliot Construction Ltd and Skills Group Ltd undertaking a Plasterer Apprenticeship Level 2

 Samuel Young with ME Contracting Ltd and The Focus Training Group undertaking an Installation and Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship Level 3

 Bradley Laing with Hallwell Projects Ltd and Skills Group Ltd undertaking a Craft Bricklayer Apprenticeship Level 3

 Finn Holmes with Cedar Tor Limited and City College Plymouth undertaking a Plasterer Apprenticeship Level 2

 Alfie Cruse with Hallwell Projects Ltd and Skills Group Ltd undertaking a Bricklaying Apprenticeship Level 3

 George Bull with Progressive Systems Ltd and Greenlight Safety and Training undertaking a Roofing and Cladding Apprenticeship Level 2

Technical apprentices:

Winner – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2026

 Ellie Doddridge with Classic Builders and City College Plymouth in partnership with University of Plymouth undertaking Quantity Surveying Technician and Construction Site Supervision Apprenticeship Level 4

Highly Commended – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2026

 Edward Grimshaw with Willmott Dixon and University of the West of England undertaking Management Apprenticeship Level 6

 Sean Richards with Hoare Lea and University of the West of England undertaking Building Services Design Engineer Apprenticeship Level 6

Finalists – Building Plymouth Technical Apprentice of the Year 2026

 Thomas Hunt with Bell Group Ltd and City College Plymouth undertaking a Construction Quantity Surveyor Apprenticeship Level 4

 Dennis Hill with Shared Apprenticeships in partnership with Morgan Sindall and UCEM undertaking a Construction Site Supervisor Apprenticeship Level 4

 George Kelly with Services Design Solution (SDS) and University of the West of England undertaking a Building Services Engineering Apprenticeship Level 6

 Louie Smith with Expedite Building Services Ltd and Exeter College undertaking a Building Services Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Level 4

 Tom Walshe with Total Repair Service Ltd and City College Plymouth undertaking a Construction Quantity Surveyor Apprenticeship Level 4

 Blake Green with Atkins Realis and Jace Training undertaking a Surveying Technician Apprenticeship Level 3

 Joe Bracewell with Willmott Dixon and University of the West of England undertaking a Quantity Surveyor and Commercial Management Apprenticeship Level 6