Image: Staff at South Hampshire College group celebrate their award win
South Hampshire College Group has won the ‘Training Provider of the Year’ Award at the 2026 Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards, with a further five of the College Group’s apprentices shortlisted across a range of categories.
The Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the achievements of apprentices, employers and training organisations across the PO Portsmouth Postcode Area. The Training Provider of the Year category recognises organisations that stand out for the quality of their apprenticeship programmes, their engagement with employers and the success of their apprentices.
Andrew Kaye, Chief Executive of South Hampshire College Group, said: “Every year South Hampshire College Group has extraordinary impact across the region through its apprenticeship provision. We are delighted to be awarded the Training Provider of the Year, and to be recognised in a further five categories of the Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards. This is a testament to the commitment of the College Group’s lecturers and trainers for the apprentices and employers they work with. It has been amazing to see our team's approach to innovatively driving our apprenticeship programme forward recognised in this way. A huge congratulations to all winners and a sincere thank you to the Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards team for putting on such a fantastic event.”
Five of the College Group’s apprentices were also recognised for their industry contributions, earning nominations across a range of categories. Grace Hood was shortlisted in the Professional Services Apprentice of the Year Award while Georgina Rogers was nominated for the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award. Brandon Engert was shortlisted for the Construction Apprentice of the Year Award and Thomas Pullen for the Higher Apprentice of the Year Award. Alisha Lane was also nominated by her employer, STS Defence, for the Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award.
Bethany Challoner, Director of Apprenticeships and Business Engagement at South Hampshire College Group, commented: “We are thrilled that South Hampshire College Group has been named the Training Provider of the Year. This recognition is a fantastic endorsement of the dedication and expertise of our teams, who work tirelessly to support apprentices and employers across our region. The Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards are an important celebration of apprenticeship success across our region, and South Hampshire College Group is delighted to support an event that recognises the achievements of apprentices, and the opportunities apprenticeships create.
“We are also incredibly proud of all five of our apprentices who have been recognised this evening. It is fantastic to see their hard work and dedication celebrated on this stage. Their achievements are inspiring examples of success stories we see every day across our apprenticeship programme and demonstrate just how much can be accomplished through an apprenticeship.”
The event brought together apprentices, employers and training providers from across the region for an evening of celebration, featuring a drinks reception, a three-course meal and a ceremony presenting 14 awards. The evening was hosted by veteran broadcaster Mark Collins, known for his work with Nation Radio UK and Wave 105.
To learn more about the Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards, please visit their website here.