Skills For Life Celebrated at HSDC’s Apprenticeship Awards

The flagship event of HSDC’s National Apprenticeship Week celebrations is always the Apprenticeship Award Ceremony, held at Havant Campus. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the importance and value of Apprenticeships in 2026, as HSDC strives to fill skills gaps both locally and nationally. 

The team from Walton Accountancy won the Employer Award for Excellence in Learner Support.

The Awards Ceremony was also the perfect way for the Apprentices themselves to celebrate all of their hard work and success. 

This year, the ceremony was attended by many of HSDC’s outstanding Apprentices who had been nominated for awards, alongside local businesses and HSDC staff. The ceremony was hosted by Chris Richards, Work-Based Learning Manager and Bryony Mechen, Accounts Operation Manager, and was a fantastic celebration of the work of both the College’s Apprentices and numerous business partnerships. 

Kurt Hintz, HSDC’s Interim Principal and CEO, opened the ceremony and congratulated all of the winners, saying:

“An apprenticeship was my own first step into employment, taken at a young age, and it proved to be a defining foundation for everything that followed. It gave me practical, technical skills, but just as importantly it taught me how to learn — applying knowledge in real situations, building confidence, and developing the discipline and mindset needed to progress.”

Speaking about the value of apprenticeships, Kurt said:

“That blend of earning, learning and applying skills opened the door to higher learning and long-term opportunity. It’s why I am such a strong advocate for apprenticeships today, and why it is a privilege to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, who are building their futures in exactly this way.”

Kurt Hintz opened the ceremony, speaking about the value of Apprenticeships, and his own personal journey with these dynamic qualifications.

It is the College’s strong links with local and national industries that makes an Apprenticeship with HSDC the perfect place for learners to thrive and learn workplace-ready skills. These courses are not just important for Apprentices or existing employees looking to take their next step, but also provide countless opportunities for businesses to thrive. 

The Awards Ceremony featured speeches from Suki Dhesi, HSDC’s Deputy Principal for Curriculum and Quality, Ashley Grute, Assistant Principal for Curriculum, and Nadia Arab, Digital Lecturer, all of whom spoke passionately about the importance of work-based learning in the modern economy.

Bryony Mechen is HSDC’s Accounts Operation Manager, and helped to host the Awards, saying:

“It’s a real honour to host this awards ceremony! It’s wonderful to see and celebrate our apprentices, trainers and employers – well done everyone!”

There were several awards given out to Apprentices themselves, in categories such as Outstanding Contribution to the Workplace and Overcoming Adversity. Awards were also presented to various employers whom HSDC partners with to deliver these courses. This was a fantastic way to recognise the dedication of the individuals and companies who make these courses some of the best in the region. 

Paul Onyekwelu won the award for Exceptional Dedication and Commitment to Functional Skills.

James Stefanaras is a Chef de Partie Level 3 Apprentice at South Downs Campus, and won the highly prestigious HSDC Award. James spoke very fondly of his time at HSDC and how the College has helped, saying: 

“When I first started at HSDC, I was a commis Apprentice, and my journey since then has been amazing! I would do it all over again if I could. HSDC is a college that didn’t need me to change in order for me to fit in, they adapted to suit my needs! I was able to learn from the best chefs and have been able to hone my cookery skills as a result of this. Last year’s India Turing Trip was one of the best weeks of my life as well, and I’m honoured to be returning to India again this year.”

James, who has also been a Student Governor at HSDC, added:

“This course has been the best time of my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to retrain as an apprentice. I’ve grown not only as a chef, but as a person.”

Penny Wycherley, HSDC’s Chair of Governors said:

“I had the privilege of meeting James when I joined the Board, and it was so impressive to see how he conducts himself as an Apprentice at the College.”

As HSDC continues to strengthen its role as a leading provider of Apprenticeships in the South, the College remains dedicated to delivering programmes that empower learners, support employers and build stronger communities, with the Apprenticeship Awards being a testament to this commitment. 

Alton College Apprenticeships Havant Campus South Downs Campus T Levels