This evening marked a proud milestone in our sector as we hosted the very first DfT Special Recognition Apprentice Awards at the LCRIG Innovation & Learning Festival. These brand-new awards were created to shine a spotlight on the young professionals shaping the future of highways and transport technology – recognising not only their achievements but also their energy, passion and drive to make a real difference.
Supported by the Department for Transport and proudly sponsored by leading organisations including WJ Group, Multevo, Stabilised Pavements, JCB, SRL Traffic Systems and Velocity Group, the awards celebrated excellence across all apprenticeship levels and highlighted those going above and beyond in their early careers.
With more than 50 apprentices in attendance – each supported by our generous sponsors to ensure they could be part of the event – it was a truly special night of recognition, connection and celebration.
A huge congratulations to all of our award winners:
🌟 DfT Special Recognition Inspirational Apprentice Award
Sponsored by WJ Group
This award honours apprentices who not only excel in their roles but also leave a lasting, positive impact on their colleagues, the highways and transport technology sector, and the wider community, acting as role models for their peers and ambassadors for the industry.
Winner: Jess Banbury – Amey Staffordshire
Judges’ comments:
“Jess’ advocacy for fair recruitment, mentorship of others, and commitment to breaking barriers have set a new standard for inclusivity and opportunity within the industry.”
Highly commended: Eleanor Hockenhull – A E Yates
🌟 DfT Special Recognition Exceptional Frontline Apprentice Award
Sponsored by Stabilised Pavements
The Exceptional Frontline Apprentice Award celebrates apprentices who make outstanding contributions in frontline roles within the highways and transport technology sector.
Winner: Hannah Black – Citisense
Judges’ comments:
“Hannah is the kind of person who lifts up everyone around her. As an apprentice, she brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep sense of purpose to everything she does. Whether she’s mentoring students, supporting her colleagues, or speaking at events, Hannah leads with authenticity and heart.”
Highly commended: Alex Doe – Salford City Council
🌟 DfT Special Recognition Outstanding Achievement Awards – Level 2 Apprenticeship Award
Sponsored by JCB
This award celebrates excellence among Level 2 apprentices in the highways and transport technology sector.
Winner: Kizito Brady – Bolton Council
Judges’ comments:
“Kizito is an exceptional apprentice who has shown remarkable dedication, resilience, and skill in his role at Bolton Council’s Highways team, training with Salford City College. Starting at just 16, Kizito faced the challenge of entering a physically demanding trade but embraced every opportunity to learn and grow.”
Highly commended: Jacob Baker – Salford City Council
🌟 DfT Special Recognition Outstanding Achievement Awards – Level 3 Apprenticeship Award
Sponsored by SRL Traffic Systems
This award celebrates excellence among Level 3 apprentices in the highways and transport technology sector.
Winner: Joshua Battersby – Rotherham Borough Council
Judges’ comments:
“Josh has always shown aptitude, enthusiasm and dedication. We believe that Josh is a shining star, and we have only seen the start of his successes as he embarks on his career.”
Highly commended: Jacob Camden-Redding – Highway Care
🌟 DfT Special Recognition Outstanding Achievement Awards – Level 4–6 Apprenticeship Award
Sponsored by Velocity Group
This award celebrates excellence among Level 4-6 apprentices in the highways and transport technology sector.
Winner: George Buchanan – Portsmouth City Council
Judges’ comments:
“George has excelled as an apprentice having completed all his incorporated engineer attributes with the ICE. He is now taking on a further opportunity to enhance his knowledge by studying a Spatial Planning master’s degree at UCL, culminating in chartership with the RTPI.”
Highly commended:
- Joseph Webster – Transport for West Midlands
- Chloe Kirby – North East Lincolnshire Council
🌟 Inspiring the Future: Attracting Young People to the Highways and Transport Technology Sector
Sponsored by Multevo
We launched an exciting competition to discover the creative ideas that will inspire and attract young people to careers in the highways and transport technology sector.
We asked apprentices for their big ideas to inspire the next generation and show them the potential opportunities available across the sector.
Prize for the winning entry was £1,000 cash, and a place on the LCRIG Apprenticeship Task Group.
Winner: Leanna Dinnegan – Islington Council
Leanna’s winning idea was ‘HATT (Highways and Transport Technology) in a Box’. Inspiring the future generation through outreach workshops with schools and within local communities.”
🌟 Special Recognition
A special award was presented to Andy Brown of Westmorland and Furness Council, recognising his outstanding contributions to the highways and transport technology sector and his pivotal role as one of LCRIG’s founding figures. As Andy approaches his retirement, the award served as a heartfelt tribute to his lasting impact on the industry. The award was accepted on Andy’s behalf by John Ingle.
A Huge Thank You
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to:
- All our sponsors for making this celebration possible
- Our judging panel: Darren Capes (DfT), Dr Joanna White (National Highways), Dwayne Lowe (Bolton Council), Paul Hutton (Highways News), Keely Metcalfe (LCRIG), and Kerry Winstanley (LCRIG)
- The Department for Transport and Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, for their continued support and for signing this year’s certificates
- Line managers for championing their apprentices and joining us on the night
- And of course, each and every apprentice who joined us – we are proud to have you in this sector.
As we closed the evening with a group photo of our Apprentices of 2025, it was clear that the future of the highways and transport technology industry is in safe, talented hands.
Here’s to a bright future – and to doing it all again next year.