Shortlist for the 2026 Highlands & Islands Apprenticeship Awards announced
The event is supported by our headline partner NRS Dounreay.
After carefully deliberating over the entries our judges have carefully selected the standout shortlist of finalists for the 2026 Highlands & Islands Apprenticeship Awards.
Applications were received from a wide variety of organisations, all united by a desire to showcase their passion for apprenticeships.
This event captures a broad spectrum of activity across the Highlands & Islands, recognising and celebrating the incredible enthusiasm of apprentices and those who support them.
A huge congratulations to everyone who made the shortlist, and a massive thank you to our judges for dedicating their time to reviewing each entry.
This event will highlight not only the achievements of apprentices but also the invaluable support they receive from their employers, mentors, and training providers.
Dave Wilson, managing director of our headline partner NRS Dounreay, said: “One of our greatest achievements at Dounreay has been the creation of thousands of training opportunities for young people since the first intake of apprentices over seventy years ago.
“It’s an honour for us to continue supporting and developing our early careers initiatives across the Highlands and Islands and to sponsor this year’s awards for a second time.
“I’m very proud of our two finalists and wish them and all the nominees the best of luck and hope they have an enjoyable evening as they are all very worthy contenders. We have a long and proud tradition of producing exceptional apprentices, and the individuals we celebrate tonight are continuing that legacy.”
Following a rigorous review of this year's submissions, the judging panel noted that application quality remained consistently strong and comparable to previous years.
Reviewers highlighted a highly competitive field of entries showcasing exceptional talent across the region, while identifying valuable areas of focus—such as applied innovation, clear career aspirations, and measurable business impact—to guide future development.
With the finalists now confirmed, these awards continue to celebrate the dedication and success of apprentices, employers, and training providers throughout the Highlands and Islands.
Special thanks go to our panel of judges: firstly on behalf of our headline partner Craig Brown, Reactors and Site Services Programme Director - NRS Dounreay, Lill Thomson, Learning and Development Adviser - Highland Council, David Reid, Co-founder - Powering Futures and Trudy Morris, Chief Executive / Executive Director - North Highland Chamber of Commerce
Gratitude is also extended to our partners; Headline Partner, NRS Dounreay, Category Sponsors; NT Engineering and RSE plus our support sponsor, RJ Mcleod, UHI Inverness, Tulloch Homes, Springfield Properties, Kingsmills Hotel and Maggies our Charity Partner.
Everyone is looking forward to celebrating with our finalists at the awards night, to be held at Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, on Thursday, 26th November. Guests are invited to join us from 6:45 pm for a welcome drink and networking opportunity, followed by a three-course meal and, of course, the awards ceremony.
Meet our 2026 Finalists
Foundation Apprentice of the Year
Karis Keeble, NHS Highland, Training Provider - UHI NWH
Graduate Apprentice of the Year
Abbey Yule, RSE, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Ben Gibson, Associated Seafoods, Training Provider - RGU
Mia Keith, Morrison Construction, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Modern Apprentice of the Year
Aidan Ferrier, NRS Dounreay, Training Provider - NRS Dounreay and UHI Thurso
Caroline Stuart, James Johnston & Co, Training Provider - Johnstons of Elgin
Claire Gordon, James Johnston & Co Johnstons of Elgin
Craig McIntosh, James Johnston & Co, Training Provider - Johnstons of Elgin
Daniel Gunn, UHI North, West and Hebrides, Training Provider - UHI North
Iain Smith, Stornoway Golf Club, Training Provider - SRUC
Megan Harrison, Sutherland Stepping Stones Brora, Training Provider - UHI NWH
Owen Klimas, NRS, Training Provider - NRS Dounreay
Scott Duff, Walker's Shortbread Ltd, Training Provider - Highland Learning Academy
Tamsin Miles, James Johnston & Co, Training Provider - Johnstons of Elgin
Zainab Kasali, Associated Seafoods, Training Provider - NDFT
Energy & Utilities Apprentice of the Year
Emma MacSween, UHI North, West and Hebrides
Noah Jackman, Ri Cruden Ltd, Training Provider - Glasgow Kelvin College
Engineering / Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year
Adam Cheesman, Navantia UK Arnish, Training Provider - University of the Highlands & Islands
Ashley Topping, Serimax, Training Provider - Serimax / UHI NWH
Calum Maclean, Serimax, Training Provider - UHI NWH
George Main, RSE, Training Provider - SECTT / UHI Inverness
Matthew Robertson, Gow's Lybster Ltd, Training Provider - UHI NWH
Neve Boon, Lifescan, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Stewart Johnstone, Scottish Sea Farms, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Construction Apprentice of the Year
Archie Laird, Stoddart Crane Hire, Training Provider - Construction Industry Training Board
Callum Williamson, RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd, Training Provider - University of the Highlands and Islands
Health and Social Care
Catriona Millar, NHS Highland, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Chloe Sutherland, Meallmore, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Gemma Le Roux, Stepping Stones Nursery, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Kathryn Nicolson, Highland Hospice, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Libby Crawley NHS Highland, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Technology and Digital Apprentice of the Year
Edythe Cottam, North Highland Chamber of Commerce, Training Provider - Highland Learning Academy
Georgina O'Doherty, North Highland Chamber of Commerce, Training Provider - Highland Learning Academy
Lucy Beauchamp, Highland Learning Academy
Scott Watson, Highland Council, Training Provider - Highland Learning Academy
Apprentice Ambassador of the Year
To be announced
Mentor of the Year
Donald Fraser, LifeScan, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Gary Browne, Walkers Shortbread Ltd, Training Provider - Highland Learning Academy
John Carson, Highland Learning Academy, Training Provider - Highland Learning Academy
SME Employer of the Year
AES Renewables
Serimax Ltd
Large Employer of the Year
Associated Seafoods, Training Provider - NDFT, RGU
Harper Macleod, Training Provider - QA
LifeScan Engineering Apprentice Program, Training Provider - UHI Inverness
Training Provider/Programme of the Year
Business Solutions Team, UHI Inverness
Ri Cruden Ltd
UHI North, West and Hebrides Work Based Learning Team
The winners will be revealed live on the night of the awards ceremony.
Tickets for the event can be booked directly via the website www.hiapprenticeshipawards.co.uk before the closing date of 11th November. You can also , register your details on the event website and check back for our winners announcement.
Anyone interested in sponsorship can reach out to our event manager: [email protected]