NSCG named College of the Year at Star of the Future Apprentice Awards
25 July 2025
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been named College of the Year at the prestigious Star of the Future Apprentice Awards 2025, becoming the only college in the UK to receive the accolade twice in just five years.
Organised by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), the awards celebrate the industry’s most promising up-and-coming talent and its future leaders across various occupations including Plant Mechanics, Plant Technicians, Hire Controllers, Plant Installers, Plant Operatives and Young Plant Operatives, as well as those who mentor the apprentices.
In addition to the group award, NSCG apprentice Jack Lovesey, who studies on the Level 3 Construction Plant Maintenance apprenticeship and trains with Liebherr-GB, was awarded the national title of Plant Mechanic of the Year, beating eight other finalists from across the UK.
Several other NSCG apprentices were also recognised with Highly Commended awards across regional categories:
Elina Smith, Clee Hill Plant – Plant Mechanic of the Year (Midlands)
Shaydn George, Clee Hill Plant – Plant Technician of the Year (Midlands)
Ciaran Sequeira, Liebherr-GB – Plant Technician of the Year (South)
Chris Scott, Marubeni-Komatsu – Plant Technician of the Year (Scotland)
Logan Rae, Liebherr-GB – Plant Technician of the Year (Scotland)
Alongside the apprentices, student mentor Danny Tighe from NSCG’s employer partner Readypower Rail, was nominated within the Apprentice Mentor of the Year category.
Eddie Peake, Construction Plant Curriculum Leader at NSCG, said: "This recognition is a huge achievement for our students, teaching staff and industry partners. To see so many of our apprentices recognised at a national level, and for NSCG to win College of the Year again, is something we’re incredibly proud of."