Sunderland College celebrated the success of its students and local business partners at the Business and Apprenticeship Awards on 24 March 2026. The ceremony took place at the City Campus in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, to honour the hard work of individuals across eight different job sectors.
Amy Boyle, who is sponsored by Nissan, and Gary Turnbull were both named Overall Apprentice of the Year during the event. Other winners included Jack Reichard for engineering, Oliver Watt for health and social care, and Paul Taylor for bricklaying. The awards recognized students for their personal growth and their ability to learn new skills in the workplace.
Local businesses were also praised for their support of training programmes, with AESC receiving the Partnerships Award for working with the college for more than seven years. TT Electronics Bedlington was named Large Employer of the Year for its commitment to training 17 apprentices at its regional site.
The awards follow a period of growth for the Education Partnership North East, which earned a top rating from inspectors across all its local campuses in 2024. The group has also opened new facilities recently, such as the HICSA construction academy, to provide modern training for students entering the building trades.
According to the North East Combined Authority, millions of pounds are being invested into local training centres to help people find jobs in battery and electric vehicle manufacturing. College leaders, including Chief Executive Toni Rhodes and Vice Principal Iain Nixon, said the event highlights how apprenticeships provide a clear path into careers with major local employers.
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