Dudley College Hosts Inaugural Employer Recognition Awards


17/10/2025

Dudley College celebrated the exceptional contributions of its employer partners at the first-ever Employer Recognition Awards, held at the Black Country Living Museum.

Taking place during T Levels Week, the event celebrated the outstanding contributions employers make to the education of learners at Dudley College and The Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology. Individuals and organisations who go above and beyond to support students through work placements, mentoring, Apprenticeships, internships, and more, were celebrated. The event also showcased the vital role employers play in developing technical skills and nurturing future talent.

The ceremony was hosted by Doug Gordon – an award-winning speaker, and Irish radio presenter,– who opened the evening with an inspiring talk on leadership and success.

Speakers included Susanne Davies, Director of Partnerships & Employer Engagement at Dudley College, who talked about the importance of developing technical skills, and Natalie Jones, Head of Talent at National Highways, who reflected on why investing in skills is crucial for business growth and praised the strong partnership the organisation has enjoyed with Dudley College over the years.

Reflecting on the evening, Diana Martin, Chief Executive and Principal of the Dudley College said:
“The awards showcased the investment West Midlands businesses are making in developing the skills of their current and future workforces and it was fantastic to see so many come together to recognise these achievements. It was a wonderful evening and an opportunity for the college to show its appreciation to all of the businesses who work with us and our students, to enrich their education and put them on the right career path.”

Susanne Davies, Director of Partnerships & Employer Engagement at Dudley College added:
“We are incredibly grateful to our exceptional employer partners for their long-term vision and ongoing support of learners across our region. Everyone is a worthy winner because they are proving that skilled hands and minds build our future.”

A selection of images from the celebration can be viewed here. 

Award Winners 

Congratulations to all award winners: 

Employer Award 
A & M EDM Apprenticeship Employer Excellence Award 
Ash & Lacy T Level Employer Excellence Award 
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Sector Champion – Health, Science & Animal Care 
Capelli Hairdressing People Award – Manager of the Year (Flora Bianco) 
Carwood Apprenticeship Employer Excellence Award 
Castleview Residential Care Home Work Experience / Exposure Employer Excellence Award 
Cotwall End Primary School T Level Employer Excellence Award 
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Apprenticeship Employer Excellence Award 
Dudley Zoo People Award – Supporting Learners (Fran Lovell) 
E.ON T Level Employer Excellence Award 
Ekho Collective Sector Champion – Green Skills & Sustainability 
Highview Home Work Experience / Exposure Employer Excellence Award 
Housing 21 Sector Champion – Digital & Creative 
Kuka Sector Champion – Business & Professional 
Laing O’Rourke  People Award – Manager of the Year (James McGowan) 
Lakeland Tankers Apprenticeship Employer Excellence Award 
Lloyds Bank T Level Employer Excellence Award 
Midwest Sector Champion – Building Services 
National Highways Sector Champion – Digital & Creative 
Palmer Transport People Award – Supporting Learners (Jason Palmer) 
Parker Precision Sector Champion – Engineering 
Roseville Contracts Sector Champion – Construction 
Savills Merry Hill Sector Champion – Aspire 
Spotbuyer People Award – Mentor of the Year 
Step by Step Childcare Sector Champion – Education & Early Years 
Stourbridge FC Sector Champion – Sport 
Swisslog Sector Champion – Business & Professional 
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust Overall Employer Excellence Award 
THH Services T Level Employer Excellence Award 
Totalkare People Award – Mentor of the Year (Jack Webb) 
Warrens Hall Riding School Sector Champion – Aspire 
West Midlands Metro Sector Champion – Skills Shop & Adult Skills 
West Midlands Police Sector Champion – Public Services 

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