Leeds College of Building Celebrates Student Success at BIG Awards

Annual ceremony honours apprentices and students for industry achievements

Leeds College of Building (LCB) recently held its annual BIG (Building Industry Greats) Awards, recognising the achievements of its students and apprentices for the 2024/2025 academic year. The event took place at the Centenary Pavilion, Elland Road, where a record number of awards were presented, highlighting the talent and dedication within the college’s construction and civil engineering programmes.

Record number of awards presented

This year’s ceremony saw 44 trophies awarded, alongside seven Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) QUEST Technician Scholarships and a medal from the British Tunnelling Society Young Members (BTSYM). The event was hosted by broadcaster Rich Williams from Virgin Radio and LUTV, who helped create an engaging atmosphere throughout the evening.

Top honours awarded to standout students

• Gracie Belwood received The Governors’ Award as well as the Commitment to Industry and Professional Development Award, sponsored by Turner & Townsend. Gracie highlighted the benefits of her apprenticeship and transport planning course, noting the practical experience gained through field trips and its relevance to her job role.
• Daniel Heffernan was presented with The Principal’s Award and the Commitment to the College award. He expressed surprise at receiving multiple accolades and praised the college for enhancing his confidence and providing a broader understanding of the construction industry.

Industry support and partnership

The awards evening was supported by 16 organisations, including gold headline sponsor Marlborough, silver sponsor BAM, and bronze sponsors EPA Construction, Bentley, and Sparta Systems. Representatives from these companies emphasised the importance of nurturing young talent for the future of the construction sector.

• Paul Donnelly, Managing Director at Marlborough, described the awards as an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of young people and reinforce the positive prospects within the industry.
• Ian Hunter, Technical Apprenticeship Manager at BAM, highlighted the event’s role in recognising emerging talent and encouraging apprentices to pursue careers beyond traditional perceptions of the industry.

Looking ahead

Reflecting on the year, LCB CEO and Principal Nikki Davis noted several achievements, including a successful rebrand, strong T Level results, and the college’s recognition as one of the first Construction Technical Excellence Colleges. She described the BIG Awards as a fitting celebration of the college’s students and staff as they prepare for the new academic year.

The college continues to offer a range of courses aimed at developing skills for careers in construction and related industries.