The countdown is on for the 2026 Shropshire Telford & Wrekin Apprenticeship Awards – with the last few tickets still available.

The event celebrates the brightest apprentices in the area, as well as recognising employers for their support of apprenticeship programmes.

The award winners will be crowned at a gala dinner held on October 8 at the Mercure Telford Centre Hotel.

Tickets have been selling fast since the shortlisted finalists were announced, and the event is on target to be a sell-out.

For more details, and to book your seat, see stwaa.co.uk

Three Telford-based companies – Hoshizaki Europe, Housing Plus Group, and McPhillips - are shortlisted in the large employer of the year category.

The medium sized employer finalists are ABC Day Nursery from Telford, iconsys of Telford, and Shingler Group from Myddle.

In the small employer category, the three finalists are AR Manley & Sons from Rodington, Priorslee Motor Services of Telford, and Ruby Vehicle Services at Pennerley.

Finalists in the individual categories come from all corners of the county. Categories include construction, health & social care, engineering & manufacturing, IT & digital industries, creative & media, and business legal & finance.

There are two new categories for 2026 – a ‘rising star’ award and a ‘mentor of the year’ prize.

In addition to the individual and employer categories, an overall star apprentice for both the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin areas will also be crowned on the night.

The competition is backed by some of the county’s biggest and best names, led by headline sponsor Telford College, and supported by the Marches Careers Hub.

Other category sponsors include In-Comm Training Services, J&PR, Keele University, McPhillips, Pave Aways, iconsys, Purple Frog Systems, Shrewsbury College, ABP, and Housing Plus Group. 

The media partner for the event is Shropshire Business Live TV – backed by Chamber patron Shropshire Business magazine - which will be filming and streaming the awards presentations.

Picture caption: The independent judges sit down to shortlist the 2026 finalists.