Shortlist announced for Highlands & Islands Apprenticeship Awards

The event at the Kingsmill Hotel in Inverness on Thursday 27th November is designed to capture a broad spectrum of activity across the Highlands & Islands, recognising and celebrating the incredible enthusiasm of apprentices. It will highlight not only the achievements of apprentices, but also the invaluable support they receive from their employers, mentors, and training providers.

Event organisers would like to extend huge congratulations to everyone who made the shortlist, and a massive thank you to the judges for dedicating their time to reviewing each entry.

Judges are: Mick Moore, site services director at headline partner NRS Dounreay; Fiona Emslie, senior L&D adviser, Highland Council; David Reid, co-founder, Powering Futures and Trudy Morris, chief executive/executive Director, North Highland Chamber of Commerce.

Gratitude is also expressed to all the event partners including: headline partner NRS Dounreay; category sponsors Drax and UHI Inverness; and support sponsors Highland CIC, Associated Seafoods Ltd and Kingsmills Hotel.

Guests are invited to join us from 6.45pm on the evening for a welcome drink and networking opportunity, followed by a three-course meal and, of course, the awards ceremony.

Meet the 2025 Finalists

Foundation Apprentice of the Year

To be announced

Graduate Apprentice of the Year

Carrieanne McGrath, Baxters Food Group Ltd

Iain Livingstone, Drax

Kerry Dolan, Abriachan Forest School

Kiera Wright, AES Solar

Lia Stewart, Baxters Food Group Ltd

Modern Apprentice of the Year

Adam Pattie, Baxters Food Group Ltd

Calum MacTavish, Highland Council

Codie Cargill, Pure Lubrication

Jack Browning, James Johnston & Co (Johnstons of Elgin)

Kate Murray, Nuclear Restoration Services Ltd

Kate Thomson, Nuclear Restoration Services Ltd

Kieran Norburn, The Highland Council

Morgan Page, Baxters Food Group Ltd

Energy & Utilities Apprentice of the Year

Dylan Strachan, AES Solar

Owen Moran, Cruachan Power Station

Struan Coli, Ri Cruden Limited

Engineering / Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year

Adam Pattie, Baxters Food Group Ltd

Brandon Kinvig, Boiler and Valve Engineering Limited

Dylan Burke, Ri Cruden Limited

George Wylie, Ocean Kinetics Ltd

Joshua Morrison, Ross-Shire Engineering (RSE)

Kiera Wright, AES Solar

Liam Paterson, Walker's Shortbread

Construction Apprentice of the Year

Aaron Houston, SSEN Transmission

Aiden Reid, Springfield Properties Plc

Kaii Foxcroft, RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd

Professional Services Apprentice of the Year

Molly McCallion, Highland Learning Academy

Rebecca Naylor, ProFM Group

Technology and Digital Apprentice of the Year

Aliou Faucher, Highland Learning Academy

Calum Runcie, Baxters Food Group Ltd

Jack Findlay, Baxters Food Group Ltd

Apprentice Ambassador of the Year

Andrew Macdonald, Boiler and Valve Engineering Limited

Mike Campbell, Ross-Shire Engineering (RSE)

Ri Cruden Limited

Mentor of the Year

Gavin Blainey, Drax

Greg Matheson, Ri Cruden Limited

Neil McFaul, SSEN Transmission

Ross Cameron, Walker's Shortbread

Sarah Barnes, DYW Moray

SME Employer of the Year

AES Solar

Boiler and Valve Engineering Limited

RAF Lossiemouth Childcare Centre

Ri Cruden Limited

Large Employer of the Year

Associated Seafoods Ltd

Harper Macleod

Life Scan Engineering Apprentice Program

Ross-Shire Engineering - Muir of Ord

The Highland Council

Walker's Shortbread

Training Provider/Programme of the Year

Business Solutions Team

Highland Learning Academy

Book your tickets to attend before the closing date of 11th November.

Anyone interested in sponsorship, please reach out to event manager [email protected]

Keep updated, register your details on the event website and check back for the winners announcement at www.hiapprenticeshipawards.co,uk