We are incredibly proud to share that We Are Zenith has been shortlisted for Training Provider/Programme of the Year at the North East Apprenticeship Awards 2026, and that six of the brilliant apprentices on our programmes have been recognised alongside us.
This is a moment we are genuinely proud of, not just because of our own nomination, but because of what it represents for the people at the heart of everything we do. To see six of our apprentices shortlisted across four categories, alongside our nomination for Training Provider/Programme of the Year, is a reflection of the hard work, commitment, and talent that runs through every programme we deliver.
At We Are Zenith, we have always believed that great training is about more than delivering content. It is about building trusted connections between people and businesses, supporting potential, and creating real, lasting change in the workplaces and communities we serve. These nominations are evidence that this approach is working.
This academic year we have delivered 50 end-point assessments, with many of our apprentices completing projects that have generated direct, measurable cost savings for their employers. Across all our programmes and sectors, we have achieved a 91% first-time pass rate, a 64% distinction rate, and an overall Qualification Achievement Rate of 89%. These are results we are enormously proud of, and they reflect the dedication of our learners, our employer partners, and every member of our team.
We want to take a moment to celebrate every one of our nominated apprentices. Emily Harwood at Nexus and Jordan Chapman at Egger UK’s Hexham site have both been shortlisted for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year. Molly Reekie at Apex Radio and Will Toward at Cascade Cash Management are both nominated in the Advanced Apprentice category. Thomas Eden, also at Egger UK Hexham, is shortlisted for Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, and Emily Russell at ECBS Energy has been recognised in the Professional Services category. Each of them has shown exceptional commitment to their own development, and we could not be more proud to see them celebrated in this way.
We are thrilled that our partners, Apex Radio Systems & William Hackett Group, have been shortlisted for SME Employer of the Year — a fantastic and well-deserved achievement that reflects their dedication, success, and the strong partnership we have built together.
Seeing our name on the Training Provider of the Year shortlist is a proud moment for every single person at We Are Zenith, but what makes this really special is seeing our apprentices recognised alongside us. These are individuals who have worked incredibly hard, committed to their development, and delivered real impact for their employers, and they deserve every bit of this recognition. We build our programmes around people, not frameworks, and moments like this remind us exactly why we do what we do. We are grateful to every employer partner who trusts us with their people, and we are excited to celebrate with everyone at the awards."
We are particularly proud to see Egger UK‘s Hexham site appear twice in the apprentice shortlist, with both Jordan Chapman and Thomas Eden nominated in separate categories. Our partnership with Egger UK is one we genuinely value, and we were deeply moved to receive a supporting statement from Keith Robson, their Technical and Apprenticeship Training Manager, ahead of the awards.
Keith said: “Zenith’s collaborative approach is a standout feature. They maintain open communication, adapt training plans to business needs, and work as a genuine partner rather than simply a provider. The apprentices participating in their programmes show clear development in technical capability, confidence, and workplace readiness. Many have taken on greater responsibility within their teams and progressed more quickly due to the strong foundations set by their training.”
Everything we do at We Are Zenith starts with listening. We take the time to truly understand the goals, challenges, and ambitions of every employer and every learner we work with, and we build programmes around those realities. From screening and selecting the right candidates right through to successful completion and progression beyond the apprenticeship, we are with our partners every step of the way. That is not just how we work, it is who we are.
The North East Apprenticeship Awards ceremony will take place at Newcastle United Football Club, Newcastle upon Tyne, on Thursday, 25th June 2026, from 6:45pm to midnight. We will be cheering loudly for every one of our nominees on the night and, whatever the outcome, we are immensely proud of what this shortlist represents for our team, our apprentices, and our employer partners across the North East.
If you’d like to learn more about our apprenticeship pathways, we’d love to hear from you.
