SRC apprenticeship team announced as finalists in business awards
The Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) team at Southern Regional College (SRC) have been announced as finalists in the upcoming Business Excellence Awards.
The team were shortlisted for the award within the category ‘Excellence in Skills & Workforce Capability’, with the final results to be announced in an awards ceremony on Thursday June 4, at Titanic, Belfast.
In being shortlisted for the award, the team demonstrated their strategy for developing skills and workforce capability, plus their commitment to developing employability prospects.
The team, initially devised in September 2024 with one HLA programme, seven apprentices and four employers has grown from strength to strength.
At the start of the 2025/26 academic year the team successfully recruited their highest ever intake of 272 apprentices to twenty HLA programmes covering programmes in Accounting, Science, Business, Computing, Construction, Digital Marketing, Engineering, Fintech, Hospitality and Sport, in support of 209 businesses.
Central to their success, has been the development of a purpose-built HLA portal. A digital platform directly connecting employers with HLA applicants.
The portal has streamlined employer recruitment processes, reducing administrative burdens and enhancing the overall experience for both employers and potential apprentices.
Beyond technology, the team have hosted successive ‘Big Apprenticeship Events’ yearly.
The most recent events, covering the district councils of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon and Newry, Mourne and Down, in February 2026 witnessed almost 2,000 attendees engaging with over 80 employers and support organisations over two nights.
Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal & Chief Executive of Southern Regional College commented: “We are absolutely delighted to see our Higher Level Apprenticeship team recognised as finalists in these prestigious awards. This achievement reflects the dedication, innovation and hard work of staff who continue to drive the programme forward.
“The growth the team have experienced, highlights the real demand for high-quality apprenticeship pathways that directly support industry needs while creating meaningful career opportunities for people across the region.”